Alleged scam-network mastermind Chen Zhi could face the death penalty, with Chinese prosecutors adding intentional injury to the list of charges against him.
Chen, 38, was extradited from Cambodia to China six months ago and formally arrested on Jul 6, according to Chinese business magazine Caixin.
He founded the Cambodian conglomerate Prince Group, which authorities say was linked to a sprawling online scam network.
Caixin reported on Monday (Jul 27) that prosecutors dropped a previous count of concealing criminal proceeds but added copyright infringement and intentional injury charges.
Under Chinese criminal law, intentionally inflicting bodily injury and causing death or severe injury by especially cruel means is punishable by a sentence of no less than 10 years in prison and could lead to execution.
Chen is also wanted by United States prosecutors for allegedly running one of Asia’s biggest transnational criminal organisations.
Two of his top operatives have been sent back to China and charged with crimes from illegal detention to intentional injury.
Jinbei Group founder Liu Ren was extradited from Cambodia in June, accused of running multiple online gambling platforms under the Jinbei banner and luring Chinese citizens into gambling.
Li Xiong, former chairman of the board at the Huione Group, a Prince Group subsidiary, was extradited in April.
Hu Shi, who was believed to be the second-in-command at the Prince Group, was arrested in Japan last month for falsifying documents, according to Kyodo News Agency.
Hu, who is suspected of using several names, including Chen Xiaoer and Hu Xiaowei, was identified as a 44-year-old Chinese-born Cypriot national.