The Appeals Court in Thailand on Monday, approved the extradition of Chinese She Zhijiang, 43-year-old Chinese national with Cambodian citizenship, to China. The decision follows a three-year legal battle and grants Beijing jurisdiction over one of Asia’s most prominent alleged transnational crime operators. She is accused of running over 200 illegal online gambling operations, with the case highlighting the interconnected role of illicit finance, digital assets, and sovereign border zones in the global cybercrime economy.
Jurisdictional Battle Concludes with Extradition Order
The extradition order was upheld after She’s legal team challenged the constitutionality of Thailand’s extradition law. The Thai Constitutional Court rejected the claim in October, ruling that the extradition order was lawful.
She was arrested in Bangkok in August 2022 on an international warrant and Interpol red notice requested by Chinese police, relating to a 2014 arrest warrant. He is currently being held at Bangkok Remand Prison, which is also identified as Klong Prem Central Prison.
Chinese authorities accuse She of founding and running 239 illegal online gambling websites. Thailand’s state prosecutor said these operations involved circulating capital of over 12.63 trillion baht (S$508 billion).
The Thai government agencies have 90 days to coordinate the transfer, according to lawyer Sanya Eadjongdee, who represents She. Eadjongdee told Reuters that She continues to deny wrongdoing, arguing the case is “politically motivated and based on alleged offences dating back to 2011.”
Financial Crime Networks and Blockchain Links
She’s operations are closely linked to the Yatai New City project in Shwe Kokko, Myanmar, near the Thai border. The complex includes casinos, entertainment hubs, and call centres, and has gained notoriety for online gambling scams, human trafficking, and potentially blockchain-enabled financial flows.
A 2024 UN Office on Drugs and Crime report describes She as “having a robust business and investment portfolio across Southeast Asia, particularly in Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, and the Philippines, spanning real estate, construction, entertainment, and blockchain technology.”
The U.S. and U.K. governments have sanctioned She and associated entities. In September 2025, the U.S. Treasury targeted nine companies linked to Shwe Kokko for their roles in regional scams and trafficking networks. Analysts note that She’s case may serve as a benchmark for enforcement against crypto-facilitated gambling operations.
Chain Street Take
Border regions between Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia have become hubs for online gambling fraud, amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic as in-person gambling declined. According to UN reports, billions of dollars flowed through these operations, often involving forced labour and potentially crypto transactions to obscure money trails.
Regulators are expected to intensify scrutiny on crypto-based gambling networks, digital asset laundering, and AML enforcement gaps, with She’s extradition serving as a cautionary case for regional risk assessment.
