She Zhijiang, a Chinese national accused of building an illicit gambling empire in Southeast Asia, is being extradited to China, ending his years-long legal battle against the extradition order.
She has been detained in Thailand since 2022, following an arrest initiated by Interpol based on a Chinese request.
Accused of running illegal online gambling operations, a Thai court upheld the extradition decision, and he was seen arriving at a Bangkok airport escorted by security. His extradition coincides with a historic royal visit from Thailand to Beijing, which symbolizes strengthening relations between the two nations.
She Zhijiang is a prominent figure linked to extensive cyberscam hubs in Southeast Asia, which have ensnared many Chinese citizens and led to Beijing's crackdown on such operations. His controversial project, the Shwe Kokko city in Myanmar, was promoted as a luxurious resort but has been associated with scams, money laundering, and human trafficking, drawing criticism and scrutiny from various governments.
Despite his legal troubles, She maintained from prison earlier this year that his enterprises would not tolerate scams, even as reports highlighted the ongoing fraudulent activities within his establishments. His case sheds light on the larger issue of cybercrime in the region, with the UN estimating that many individuals are coerced into scam operations across Southeast Asia.
