Asia’s Top Cyber Fraudster Captured by China; Ran 200 Online Gambling Platforms

Beijing: China has successfully apprehended Xi Zhijiang, one of Asia’s largest cyber fraudsters, who had been running an extensive illegal online gambling network that had troubled the world. Xi, a Chinese national, was extradited from Thailand after a two-year legal battle.

Global Cybercrime Network
Xi Zhijiang allegedly operated a massive online gambling and fraud network across Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos, defrauding thousands of people. He was first arrested in Bangkok in 2022 following an Interpol Red Corner Notice. Though Xi held a Cambodian passport, China pursued his extradition. After prolonged hearings, a Thai court approved his return to China.

Scale of the Alleged Crimes
According to reports, Xi’s operations were not limited to online gambling. The Chinese Ministry of Public Security stated that he managed over 200 illegal online gambling platforms, facilitating billions of yuan in illicit transactions. His most notorious project, “Shwe Kokko City”, near the Myanmar border, was marketed as a smart city and tourism hub. Investigations, however, revealed it was a hub for illegal casinos, fake investment schemes, and online scams. United Nations reports indicate that thousands of people were forcibly brought to the area to work in Xi’s cyber fraud network.

China’s Firm Stance
The Chinese government described Xi Zhijiang’s arrest as a major victory for national security, sending a strong message to criminals targeting Chinese citizens through online gambling and fraud. Since 2020, China has conducted a large-scale campaign against cross-border online gambling and telecom fraud, successfully repatriating thousands of suspects from Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar over the past five years.

Notorious in the United States
Xi’s network was also flagged internationally. In September 2025, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on nine companies and individuals linked to Xi, citing involvement in human trafficking and large-scale cyber fraud across Southeast Asia. John Hurley, Under Secretary at the Treasury, condemned the operations, stating that these criminal networks steal people’s livelihoods while promoting human trafficking and violence.

Xi Zhijiang’s capture highlights the growing global crackdown on cybercrime and online gambling networks, reaffirming international cooperation in tackling transnational fraud.