14-5-2024 (PHNOM PENH) In a twist that could have far-reaching implications, convicted money launderer Su Wenqiang’s recent deportation from Singapore to Cambodia has sparked concerns over a potential extradition to China. Beijing maintains an extradition treaty with Phnom Penh, a scenario that could pose a significant threat to the 32-year-old Cambodian national, who has been on China’s wanted list since 2017 for illegal online gambling activities.
Su’s case garnered international attention in August 2023 when he was among ten foreigners apprehended in a massive anti-money laundering operation in Singapore, resulting in the seizure of a staggering $3 billion in cash and assets. While all ten individuals are believed to originate from China, nine of them, including Su, hold Cambodian passports obtained between August 2018 and March 2021, according to a gazette published by the Cambodian government.
Amarjit Singh Sidhu, a prominent lawyer from Amarjit Sidhu Law who has handled numerous cases involving deportation from Singapore, shed light on the legal ramifications. “The obligation, however, is subject to discretionary refusal, such as on humanitarian grounds,” he added, alluding to the potential for Cambodia to deny China’s extradition request.
Typically, individuals facing deportation would be sent to their country of origin, determined by the passport they hold upon arrival. In Su’s case, he possessed passports from China, Cambodia, and Vanuatu at the time of his arrest in Singapore. “Ordinarily, after serving their sentence, they will be deported to their country of origin. This means the country they came from at their last point of disembarkation,” explained Mr. Amarjit.
Su and his accomplice, Wang Baosen, 32, were deported to Cambodia on May 6 after being sentenced in April to 13 months in jail and barred from re-entering Singapore. The pair had pleaded guilty to two charges of money laundering each, and with one-third remission, they were released after serving approximately 8½ months behind bars.
While Wang’s involvement in illegal online gambling operations in China dates back to 2015, when he was investigated for his links to the notorious Hongli International Entertainment website, it remains unclear whether he was ever convicted.
Three others implicated in the case – Zhang Ruijin, Su Haijin, and Su Baolin – have also been convicted and could be released by June after serving sentences ranging from 14 to 15 months. The remaining five accused, including Vang Shuiming and Chen Qingyuan, who indicated their intention to plead guilty in May, face an uncertain future regarding their potential deportation destinations.
Notably, four of the accused – Su Jianfeng, Wang Dehai, Chen, and Vang – are also wanted by Chinese authorities for their alleged involvement in criminal activities, including online gambling, with their names appearing on China’s wanted list between 2018 and 2023.
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority in Singapore stated that the “location of deportation (of the convicts) is dependent on the admissibility of the foreigner based on his or her valid passport,” further complicating the situation.
Cambodian Ministry of Interior spokesman Touch Sokhak declined to comment on the specific cases of Su Wenqiang and Wang Baosen, stating that the government would examine the facts and make a decision “based on legal aspects.”
In an interview with The Phnom Penh Post, Sokhak emphasized that the Cambodian government would not shield individuals who break the law, whether in their home country or abroad. “They must be punished according to the court’s decision. We do not provide protection for criminals who violate national or international laws. Cambodia is governed by the rule of law,” he asserted.
Jacob Sims, a visiting expert at the United States Institute of Peace, cautioned that while China wields significant influence over Cambodia, both politically and economically, it is not a foregone conclusion that Phnom Penh will acquiesce to Beijing’s demands regarding well-connected criminals.
“It all depends on how badly (or if) China wants them and, equally important, how influential they are in Cambodia’s political-criminal landscape,” Sims said, highlighting the case of Cambodian national She Zhijiang, a China-born gambling kingpin who has been fighting deportation to China on citizenship grounds since his arrest in Thailand in August 2022.
Cambodia has made efforts to repair its image as a hub for criminal activities, repatriating hundreds of Chinese nationals linked to illegal operations. In December 2023, during a state visit to Cambodia, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed China’s readiness to work with Cambodia in cracking down on online gambling and transnational crimes.
This sentiment was reiterated in April 2024, when Wang emphasized the need for joint efforts to combat illegal activities and eradicate related criminal gangs. That same month, Cambodia repatriated about 680 Chinese nationals connected to multiple gambling and scam centers in Sihanoukville, according to Chinese media reports.
The suspects implicated in the $3 billion case in Singapore had varied business interests in Cambodia, according to a search of business records. However, many of these companies appeared to be shell entities, with no physical presence or recognition from local authorities and residents.
