The man fled to South Africa in 2021 after his accomplices were arrested in China.
A 63-year-old Chinese fugitive who allegedly defrauded his government of more than R100 million and was hiding out in South Africa has been handed over to Chinese authorities.
The South African Police Service (Saps) Interpol handed over Fujia Chen to a Chinese delegation at the OR Tambo International Airport on Friday.
Extradition
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said Chen is being extradited to China on fraud charges.
“He allegedly defrauded the Chinese government of R120 million for running an unregistered foreign currency exchange business.
Mathe said Chen fled to South Africa in 2021 after his accomplices were arrested in China.
“He was hiding in South Africa up until he attempted to apply for a US 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,” Mathe said.
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More arrests
Mathe said police expect to make more arrests.
“During a meeting with the Chinese delegation led by acting Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection, Lieutenant General Khosi Senthumule, progress was made on the imminent arrest of 18 other Chinese fugitives who are hiding in SA. Eleven have been placed on Interpol’s red notice.
Interpol Red Notice
In July 2025, Interpol circulated a Red Notice to all member countries to locate and provisionally arrest Chen.
Chen reportedly applied for a visa at the United States of America embassy in Sandton when his fugitive status was flagged, leading to his arrest on Tuesday, 22 July 2025.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk at the time said Chen made his first appearance in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court the next day.
“The South African Police Service (Saps) continues to record commendable successes in dismantling transnational crime syndicates and arresting international fugitives in the country,” Van Wyk said.
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