US and UK Collaborate in Large-Scale Crackdown on Gambling-Related Cybercrime
Joint Efforts to Tackle a Global Cyber Fraud Network
Authorities from the United States and the United Kingdom have partnered in one of the most significant financial law enforcement actions in recent times, targeting a vast criminal enterprise. This group is accused of orchestrating extensive cryptocurrency scams and forced labor operations primarily across Asia. Investigations have revealed connections to casinos and other gambling entities allegedly used to launder illicit profits.
Exploitation in Scam Facilities Using Trafficked Labor
US prosecutors have charged Chen Zhi, a Cambodian and British national who built the Prince Group, a diversified conglomerate with ventures in real estate, finance, and leisure industries. The Department of Justice (DOJ) claims Chen’s businesses served as fronts for an expansive cyber-fraud scheme that enticed victims with fraudulent online investment opportunities, subsequently channeling stolen money through casinos and shell corporations.
Joseph Nocella, the US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, described the case as one of the largest investment fraud operations, fueling a criminal industry of alarming scale. Collaborative efforts between the US and UK led to the seizure of over $14 billion in Bitcoin, marking the largest cryptocurrency confiscation by the US government to date. The DOJ labeled Chen’s enterprise as a vast cyber-fraud operation built on the exploitation of human suffering, including multiple scam sites across Cambodia.
Court documents reveal that trafficked individuals were held in heavily secured locations where they were compelled to execute online scams targeting victims globally. These scam operations often masquerade as legitimate online gambling or financial businesses and employ “phone farms” equipped with thousands of mobile devices, each managing numerous fake social media profiles to deceive potential victims.
Legal Consequences and Ongoing Investigations
The joint sanctions announced have also affected companies linked with the Prince Group, including Jin Bei Group, Golden Fortune Resorts World, and Byex Exchange. Additionally, the UK government has frozen assets connected to Chen and his associates. According to US legal filings, the illicit earnings were used to fund luxury travel, acquire rare art, and make extravagant purchases.
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have reported that certain Prince Group affiliates operated in Cambodian compounds where trafficked workers suffered violence and harsh living conditions. Many victims were foreign workers who initially sought legitimate employment but were subsequently forced into fraudulent schemes under threat.
Should Chen be found guilty, he may face up to 40 years imprisonment. Both US and UK authorities have pledged to persist in their collaborative efforts to combat international fraud. As criminals increasingly use cryptocurrencies and advanced technology to conceal their illicit activities, officials encourage anyone with pertinent information to report suspicious behavior to aid ongoing investigations.
