Chinese national She Zhijiang, suspected of orchestrating large-scale cyber-scam operations in Myanmar, has been successfully extradited from Thailand to face judgment in China, marking a significant victory in international law enforcement cooperation against transnational organized crime. The transfer, executed on November 12, followed a protracted legal battle in Thai courts, culminating in the Chinese Ministry of Public Security confirming his arrival at Nanjing Lukou International Airport. This event underscores Beijing’s intensified efforts to apprehend individuals linked to complex, cross-border fraud and gambling syndicates.
Extradition Follows Lengthy Legal Challenge
She Zhijiang’s journey to trial began with his August 2022 arrest in Bangkok, initiated by an international warrant from Beijing and an Interpol Red Notice concerning alleged illicit online gambling activities. For over two years, his legal team mounted challenges against the extradition request.
The Thai criminal justice system moved deliberately, with the Criminal Court approving the extradition in May 2024. The defense appealed this decision, forcing consideration by the Constitutional Court, which ultimately ruled on October 22 that Thailand’s 2008 Extradition Act complied with the constitution, paving the way for the transfer. Subsequent appeals proved unsuccessful, clearing the final legal hurdles.
The extradition required logistical coordination, with China dispatching an aircraft to transport the suspect. The Chinese Embassy in Bangkok publicly acknowledged Thailand’s extensive cooperation, describing the high-profile transfer as evidence of robust bilateral judicial collaboration. Both nations have pledged to deepen their partnership in combating organized criminal activities, particularly online gambling and telecommunications fraud, which increasingly plague communities across Southeast Asia.
The Architect of the KK Park Syndicate
Chinese authorities identify She, 43, who also holds Cambodian citizenship, as one of the country’s ten most-wanted fugitives linked to major cross-border gambling operations. He is accused of leading the notorious “Asia Pacific New City” gambling and fraud syndicate, primarily operating out of Myawaddy, Myanmar, which allegedly served as the precursor to the infamous KK Park cyber-scam center.
Born in Shaodong, Hunan, in 1982, She allegedly became active in Southeast Asia under the alias She Lunkai after being designated an online fugitive by Chinese police in 2012. After obtaining Cambodian nationality in 2017, he reportedly collaborated with armed groups near the Thai-Myanmar border to develop the Shuigou Valley Asia Pacific New City Economic Zone, where the scam operations proliferated.
Interpol issued its Red Notice for She in May 2021, detailing allegations that he partnered with criminal groups beginning in 2018 to operate multiple online gambling platforms. These ventures reportedly generated staggering illicit proceeds, estimated by authorities at approximately 150 million yuan (over $20 million USD), which were subsequently funneled offshore.
Facing Justice on the Mainland
In China, She Zhijiang is primarily suspected of the illegal operation of casinos, a serious offense carrying a potential maximum sentence of ten years in prison. His successful extradition is viewed by Beijing as a foundational achievement in disrupting the burgeoning digital criminal networks that exploit vulnerable populations across the region.
The transfer signals a significant deterrent for other transnational criminals attempting to use neighboring countries as safe havens from Chinese prosecution. Furthermore, the collaboration between Bangkok and Beijing demonstrates the increasing effectiveness of regional security frameworks in targeting high-value fugitives implicated in financial and cyber-related crimes. Law enforcement agencies expect this cooperation to continue addressing complex, often tech-enabled, criminal threats.