CCTV News reported on August 23 that on the evening of August 20, with the strong assistance of relevant domestic departments, the Chinese Embassy in Thailand and Thai law enforcement agencies, the Ministry of Public Security’s “Operation Fox Hunting” working group detained persons suspected of organizing and leading pyramid schemes.
Zhang, a suspect in a major economic crime, was successfully extradited back to China from Thailand. This case is the first economic crime suspect extradited by China from Thailand after the China-Thailand Extradition Treaty came into effect in 1999.
It is understood that since 2012, the MBI Group, headed by criminal suspect Zhang , has issued virtual digital currency and required participants to pay fees ranging from 700 yuan to 245,000 yuan to obtain platform membership.
Rebates are used as bait, and the number of members developed and the amount of funds invested are used as the method of remuneration or the basis for rebates to implement illegal and criminal activities of online pyramid schemes.
The group has developed more than 10 million members, and the funds involved exceed 100 billion yuan.
In November 2020, the Chongqing Municipal Public Security Bureau opened a case for investigation against Zhang in accordance with the law.
In March 2021, the Interpol China National Central Bureau issued a red notice for it.
On July 21, 2022, the Thai police captured Zhang. Subsequently, China submitted an extradition request to Thailand in accordance with the bilateral extradition treaty.
On May 21 this year, the Thai Court of Appeal made a final decision to extradite Zhang to China. On August 14, the Thai government made an administrative decision to support the court's final decision.
The relevant person in charge of the "Operation Fox Hunt" office of the Ministry of Public Security said that the successful extradition of Zhang shows the Chinese government's firm determination and will to safeguard the rights and interests of citizens and defend the dignity of the law.
It is a major achievement of China-Thailand law enforcement and judicial cooperation, and is a great contribution to the consolidation and deepening of The law enforcement and judicial cooperation between China and Thailand is of milestone significance and will also serve as a positive example for future extradition cooperation between China and other countries.