New information published as part of an international investigation has provided further insight into the structure of Prince Group, the Cambodian conglomerate that U.S. authorities have linked to a major international network involving cyber fraud, money laundering, and so-called scam compounds, where, according to U.S. authorities, thousands of people were allegedly forced to participate in online scams.
At the center of the new findings is Chen Sokly, an individual whom reporters from OCCRP and The Straits Times identified, through an analysis of the U.S. indictment and corporate records from several jurisdictions, as matching the person referred to in the indictment as “Co-Conspirator-2.”
Chen Sokly has not been charged in the U.S. case. However, the allegations contained in the indictment provide significant insight into how prosecutors believe the broader Prince Group structure operated.
Who is “Co-Conspirator-2” and what do U.S. prosecutors allege?
The U.S. indictment filed in October 2025 primarily targets Prince Group Chairman Chen Zhi, who has been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy.
The same indictment identifies seven alleged co-conspirators without publicly disclosing their names. One of them, referred to as “Co-Conspirator-2,” is described as the head of “risk control” for Prince Group and an alleged “enforcer” for the organization.
According to U.S. prosecutors, his role was not limited to the operation of online scams. He allegedly worked to protect the broader network from police investigations and law-enforcement action.
Prosecutors allege that he monitored police investigations and used relationships with law-enforcement officials to protect scam compounds, cryptocurrency investment fraud operations, and money laundering activities connected to the group.
The indictment contains further serious allegations. Among other things, prosecutors claim that the individual engaged in corrupt dealings with law-enforcement officials and purchased a yacht worth more than $3 million for a senior government official from an unnamed country.
It is also alleged that after a Chinese public security official indicated that he could help Prince Group associates get “off the hook,” the individual offered to “take care of” the official’s son in return.
It is important to emphasize that these are allegations made by U.S. prosecutors and that Chen Sokly has not been charged in this proceeding.
How was the anonymous alleged co-conspirator identified?
Although the U.S. indictment did not disclose the individual’s name, it contained a number of biographical and business details.
Reporters from OCCRP and The Straits Times compared those details with corporate and other public records and concluded that the description matched Chen Sokly, who was born in Shanghai in 1986 as Chen Xing.
According to the records reviewed, he obtained Cambodian citizenship in 2017 under the name Chen Sokly and Cypriot citizenship the following year using his birth name.
One of the key details used in the identification concerned Awesome Global Investment Group. The indictment states that “Co-Conspirator-2” served as chairman of the company between 2017 and 2022. Corporate records show that Chen Sokly held the same position during that period.
U.S. authorities have sanctioned Awesome Global Investment Group because of its links to Chen Zhi, who previously served as chairman of its board.
Assets and business connections across multiple jurisdictions
The investigation also identified significant business and property connections involving Chen Sokly in several jurisdictions, including the United States, Singapore, Cambodia, and Mauritius.
In the United States, records connect him to active California companies as well as two substantial properties. One of those properties was purchased from an individual who was later sanctioned by the United States in connection with Prince Group.
In Singapore, Chen Sokly purchased a luxury apartment in 2017 and subsequently appeared as a director or shareholder of several companies. He was also a co-owner of a company involved in the luxury yacht business.
Records further indicate connections with investment structures that conducted business with Prince Bank, an institution later targeted by U.S. measures as part of the broader action against the network associated with Prince Group.
According to the information currently available, Chen Sokly has not himself been sanctioned by the United States, despite sanctions having been imposed on numerous other individuals and entities allegedly associated with the network.
The broader case against Prince Group
For years, Prince Group presented itself as a major Cambodian business conglomerate with activities in real estate, finance, and consumer services across more than 30 countries.
U.S. authorities, however, have made substantially different allegations regarding part of its operations.
In October 2025, the U.S. Treasury Department designated Prince Group a “transnational criminal organization,” alleging that the network operated industrial-scale cyber-scam compounds. The United States and the United Kingdom also announced coordinated measures targeting more than 100 associated individuals and entities.
U.S. prosecutors allege that, under Chen Zhi’s direction, thousands of migrant workers were trafficked to at least ten fortified scam compounds across Cambodia. According to the allegations, some workers were recruited with promises of legitimate employment before being held against their will and forced to participate in online scams.
Prince Group and Chen Zhi deny the allegations. Representatives of the group maintain that neither the company nor its chairman participated in the scams, money laundering, or other criminal activities alleged by U.S. authorities.
Why is this case significant?
The new information illustrates how complex the structures behind large international online fraud operations can be.
Investigations are no longer focused solely on individuals who communicate directly with victims or operate investment platforms. Authorities are increasingly seeking to identify financial flows, corporate structures, assets, intermediaries, and individuals suspected of facilitating or protecting the broader operation of such networks.
The case also demonstrates how the business and property interests of individuals allegedly connected to these networks may extend across numerous jurisdictions. This is why financial investigations, international cooperation, and asset tracing have become increasingly important in efforts to combat large-scale cyber and investment fraud.
The Prince Group case continues to develop, and further action by U.S. and other international authorities may provide additional information regarding individuals, companies, and assets allegedly connected to the network.
We will continue to monitor this case and other significant international developments involving online investment and cyber fraud and keep you informed of relevant updates.
Your DefendMe Team