Cambodia-based real estate conglomerate allegedly linked to illegal gambling operations

The Cambodian-based real estate conglomerate Lixin Group has been allegedly linked with illegal gambling operations and online gambling scams, as detailed in a report by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP).

Lixin have been found guilty of targeting people outside Cambodia by forcing people to invest in fraudulent crypto and stock schemes.

Lixin Group has grown into a major conglomerate with business interests stretching from the Mekong to the Black Sea. But evidence collected by OCCRP suggests that it has a darker side.https://t.co/2k8OyVpeLd

— Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (@OCCRP) January 21, 2026

In April 2025, a report from the UN Office claimed that there was an organized criminal enterprise based in the Mekong region, which was engaging in both drug trafficking and, more importantly, cyber fraud.

Sources who prepared this document then confirmed to the OCCRP that Lixin Group was the network being referred to.

Lixin denied these allegations, of course and while they were not named as a defendant in this particular lawsuit, the company did funnel proceeds from their fraudulent schemes into various real estate investments within Cambodia.

Lixin Group deny wrongdoing in cyber fraud or illegal gambling operations

Grant Tao, a representative of Lixin Group, claimed that the company was “unaware of the report” but did deny any wrongdoing.

“If the client confirms that BG2 in the U.N. report is alluding to Lixin Group, the client will contact the relevant U.N. departments and submit relevant evidence to explain the situation and clarify the facts,” he said to OCCRP.

According to the two court judgments that were obtained by OCCRP, the Chinese employees at the company managed to successfully lure victims into chat groups.

When in these groups, others involved in the fraud pretended to be successful investors.

The victims who invested money into these fraudulent crypto schemes or fake stocks saw money frozen or siphoned off into other avenues.

Fake gambling platforms were also used as part of the operation, with victims losing their money after an initial winning streak got them hooked.

These scams are becoming more and more abundant in Southeast Asia. Indeed, according to a report by the United Nations,  between $18 billion-$37 billion was lost in 2023 alone to fraudulent gambling operations within the region. Over the past few weeks, Cambodia handed over billionaire businessman Chen Zhi to China, where authorities say he was behind a massive scam operation tied to cryptocurrency schemes, illegal gambling, and even labor camps.

Featured Image: Lixin Group via YouTube

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