By Marcus Moloko
Police have confirmed the extradition of a 63-year-old Chinese national, Fujia Chen who was arrested in Johannesburg last year.
The Chinese national was accused of defrauding the Chinese government of R120 million through an unregistered foreign currency exchange business. He is now en route to China to stand trial.
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Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe provided detailed confirmation of the Chen’s arrest and extradition.
“We do have a 63-year-old fugitive of justice who fled to South Africa in 2021. According to the Chinese government, he defrauded them of R120 million by running an illegal foreign currency exchange business. He was placed on a Red Notice, which is a request to law enforcement agencies across the world to assist a particular country in locating and arresting fugitives of justice.”
Mathe explained that Chen’s arrest came after his attempted US visa application in July 2025
“We were alerted by the embassy on what he was attempting to do and we arrested him there and then. He’s been in police custody for the past six months. We received an extradition order from the Minister of Justice on the 20th of January. Three days ago, the Chinese delegation arrived, and we held a meeting with them. They not only alerted us on this particular fugitive, but also on 18 others we are searching for. Eleven are on Red Notices and we are still actively searching.”
According to Chinese authorities, the alleged operated an illegal foreign currency exchange business that evaded taxes and regulatory oversight, defrauding the state of R120 million.
He fled China in 2021 after his accomplices were arrested, hiding in South Africa until July 2025.
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His attempt to apply for a US visa triggered alerts from the US embassy, leading to his arrest by South African police.
The man remained in custody for six months. On 20 January 2026, the Minister of Justice granted an extradition order. He was formally handed over to Chinese officials three days ago.
The extradition was finalized during a meeting between South African police and a Chinese delegation led by Lieutenant General Khosi Senthumule, acting Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection.
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The delegation also raised concerns about 18 other Chinese fugitives believed to be hiding in South Africa.
Eleven of these fugitives are already listed on Interpol’s Red Notice system, according to Mathe.
Authorities confirmed that Interpol South Africa is actively pursuing these fugitives.
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