Chinese national extradited to US over alleged Cambodian crypto scam network

Zheng Zhao, a 44-year-old Chinese national, landed in Los Angeles on October 23, 2026, after being extradited from the Netherlands. He was arraigned the same day. US prosecutors allege he was part of a network running scam centers in Cambodia. Those centers allegedly used fake crypto trading websites to drain more than $36.9 million from at least 174 identified American victims. The charge is conspiracy to commit money laundering. It carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison if he is convicted. How the alleged scheme worked The playbook described by authorities is the one law enforcement calls “pig butchering.” The name is grim but accurate: scammers fatten victims up with trust before taking everything they have. According to the allegations, the operation reached targets through social media and dating apps. Conversations built rapport first. Investment pitches came later. Victims were then steered toward counterfeit digital asset trading platforms. These sites displayed impressive returns on paper. The gains were fabricated. The money trail is where the case gets technical. Prosecutors say victim funds were routed through US shell companies, then sent to Deltec Bank in th...