The mastermind behind the industrial empire, Cambodian telecom fraud leader Huang Ji Mao, has been arrested

Following the arrest of “Prince Group” founder Chen Zhi, Cambodia has once again announced a major arrest. Reports indicate that 50-year-old Cambodian Chinese Li Kuong (黄继茂) has been detained by Cambodian authorities. This businessman, who once held the title of “Lord,” appears to control an industrial empire involved in real estate, casinos, hotels, and other sectors, but in reality, he is the core operator of a complex online scam network.

From Business Empire to Crime Hub

Li Kuong’s identity seems quite reputable. He is the owner of the large comprehensive park “Royal Paradise” in Sihanoukville Province and has related industries in Mondulkiri Province, having served as the president of the Sihanoukville Casino Association. His business interests span multiple fields:

• Real estate development
• Casino operations
• Hotel management
• Construction contracting
• Early timber industry

This background has earned him considerable influence and voice in the local business community. However, investigations reveal that this seemingly legitimate industrial empire is actually a massive criminal platform.

Scam Network Hidden Behind the Industry Chain

According to Cambodian authorities’ investigations, Li Kuong is suspected of long-term illegal detention at casinos, hotels, and other venues, forcing detainees to participate in online scams. More critically, he holds a central controlling position within the entire criminal network—meaning he is not only a participant but also a key decision-maker and beneficiary of this large-scale online fraud industry chain.

This operational mode reveals a phenomenon: online scam industry chains often hide within seemingly legitimate business systems. Casinos, hotels, and other venues provide covert operational environments, while cross-industry integration makes fund flows complex and difficult to trace. Through this approach, Li Kuong has blended online scam activities with normal commercial operations.

Signs of Systematic Crackdown

Li Kuong’s arrest is not an isolated incident. Previously, the arrest of “Prince Group” founder Chen Zhi drew widespread attention. Now, another online scam leader has been caught, indicating that Cambodian authorities are intensifying efforts to combat such crimes.

The commonality between these two cases is that the criminals possess legitimate business identities and industrial foundations, and have gained considerable status and influence in the local society. This “businessman + online scam leader” dual identity makes such crimes more covert and dangerous—they not only defraud victims’ funds but also cause physical harm through illegal detention and other means.

Summary

The exposure of Li Kuong’s case once again confirms a reality: the transnational online scam industry has formed a relatively complete industrial chain system, involving multiple legitimate and illegal sectors. From the surface-level “business empire” to the actual “scam factory,” such a transformation can happen in an instant. The continuous actions by Cambodian authorities indicate an escalation in cracking down on these crimes, but completely dismantling the entire online scam network remains a long-term challenge. For ordinary people, these cases serve as a reminder: behind seemingly glamorous business identities, there may be significant hidden risks.