Bangkok, Thailand — In a landmark move that has captured the attention of Southeast Asia’s law-enforcement community, Thailand has officially approved the extradition of She Zhijiang, a Chinese iGaming tycoon long accused of orchestrating one of the largest illegal online-gambling networks in the region. The decision comes after a marathon three-year legal battle that exposed the vast, shadowy world of digital gambling, cross-border crime, and the growing cooperation between Asian nations in combating such networks.

A 3-Year Legal Storm Ends With Thailand Saying “Yes” to China

• She Zhijiang, 43, was arrested in August 2022 in Bangkok after China issued an Interpol Red Notice accusing him of running a multi-billion-dollar online gambling empire.

For years, he fought against extradition, claiming the charges were politically motivated and that he was targeted due to business rivalries rather than criminal wrongdoing.

• But Thailand’s appeals court dismissed his objections, affirming that the request aligned with international standards and that the evidence provided by China was sufficient to greenlight his transfer.

• Legal analysts describe the ruling as a major step forward for regional anti-crime cooperation, especially given the increasing cross-border impact of online gambling syndicates.

The Rise of an iGaming Empire

• Investigations tied She to an expansive network of 239 gambling websites, multiple offshore servers, and an estimated capital circulation exceeding 12 trillion baht—a staggering figure that placed his operation among the biggest ever uncovered.

Authorities allege that She:

• Operated online casinos targeting Chinese players

• Built and managed physical gambling hubs in Myanmar’s notorious Shwe Kokko zone

• Laundered large sums of money through Southeast Asian channels

• Maintained connections with human trafficking and scam-center operations

The Shwe Kokko project—a controversial, semi-autonomous city near the Thai-Myanmar border—played a central role in his rise. Often described as a hybrid of casino hub, real-estate complex, and special-economic zone, it became a hotspot for unregulated casinos and digital crime networks.

From “Investor” to “International Fugitive”

Before his arrest, She had portrayed himself as a legitimate investor involved in real estate, entertainment, and tourism. He even held Cambodian citizenship, further complicating his legal identity.

However, Chinese officials painted a starkly different picture, accusing him of:

• Illegal gambling operations

• Money laundering

• Organizing cross-border scams

• Exploiting thousands of workers under coercive conditions

Several victims claimed they were lured with promises of good jobs, only to be forced into online scam compounds—part of the larger “fraud industrial zone” spread across parts of Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia.

A High-Security Extraction: China Sends Aircraft to Collect Him

As soon as Thai courts cleared the way, Chinese authorities moved quickly.

A Chinese aircraft was sent directly to Thailand to pick up She, signaling the strategic importance of the case to Beijing.

Within hours, She was escorted under heavy security onto the flight and transferred to Nanjing, where authorities say he will face multiple criminal charges.

Chinese state media hailed the extradition as a “major victory against transnational gambling crimes.”

Human Rights Debate Adds New Layers to the Case

While the legal ruling has been celebrated by some governments, She’s defense team has raised serious human-rights concerns. They claimed he faced mistreatment in Thai custody, including:

• psychological pressure

• denial of proper medical treatment

• threats related to intelligence allegations

His lawyers argue that China may use coercive interrogation tactics once he arrives on mainland territory, urging international monitors to follow the case closely.

Human-rights organizations have also expressed concern, saying extraditions of high-profile suspects to countries with opaque judicial processes must be handled with strict oversight.

Southeast Asia’s New Era of Cooperation Against Online Crime

This extradition reflects a shifting landscape across Southeast Asia, where governments have begun tightening regulations and coordinating more closely to dismantle online gambling networks—many of which operate across multiple borders.

Authorities in Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, China, and Cambodia have increasingly shared intelligence to curb:

• illegal gambling

• crypto-based money laundering

• online fraud centers

• forced labor compounds

The She Zhijiang case stands as a symbol of the region’s renewed determination to confront criminal enterprises that exploit digital platforms and weak border controls.

What Comes Next?

She is expected to undergo extensive interrogation in China. If convicted, he could face decades in prison.

Meanwhile, China is reportedly preparing to use information from his operations to target other crime syndicates connected to online gambling and telecom fraud.

Experts say the fallout could lead to:

• closure of several illegal gambling networks

• arrests of accomplices across Southeast Asia

• stricter regulations on iGaming platforms

• heightened surveillance of cross-border financial activity

For now, all eyes remain on China as the case proceeds—both for the legal outcome and for the larger implications it carries for the fight against transnational digital crime.