Mapaballo Borotho

- Chinese fraud suspect Fujia Chen has been extradited after hiding in South Africa for several years.
- He allegedly defrauded the Chinese government of R120 million and was arrested after applying for a US visa.
- Authorities say 18 more Chinese fugitives are being tracked, with 11 already on Interpol red notices.
An alleged Chinese national fraudster has been extradited to China after hiding in South Africa for crimes allegedly committed in his home country.
Sixty-three-year-old Fujia Chen reportedly defrauded the Chinese government of R120 million by running an unregistered foreign currency exchange business. He came to South Africa in 2021 following the arrest of his accomplices in China.
Interpol has now handed Chen over to the Chinese delegation. Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe says Chen had been hiding in South Africa until he applied for a United States visa.
“He was arrested and has been in custody for the past six months. An extradition order was granted on 20 January 2026. He has been surrendered and is on a flight back to China, where he will stand trial for crimes committed,” said Mathe.
During a meeting with the Chinese delegation, led by Acting Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection Lieutenant General Khosi Senthumule, progress was shared on the imminent arrest of 18 other Chinese fugitives believed to be hiding in South Africa.
Eleven of them have been placed on Interpol’s red notice.
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