A 63-year-old Chinese national who had been hiding in Johannesburg has been extradited to China to face fraud charges amounting to more than R120 million.
The man, who was listed on Interpol’s red notice, was handed over to Chinese authorities this week after spending six months in custody in South Africa.
According to police, the suspect allegedly operated an illegal foreign exchange currency business in China between 2020 and 2021. After several of his alleged accomplices were arrested, he reportedly fled the country and entered South Africa in 2021.
National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said authorities tracked him down in July 2025 after receiving a tip-off from the United States Embassy when he attempted to apply for an American visa. He was arrested shortly thereafter and remained behind bars pending extradition proceedings.
A Chinese delegation collected him from OR Tambo International Airport, with the flight departing Johannesburg at around 10am on Thursday.
Mathe said the extradition sends a clear message that South Africa will not be used as a refuge for international fugitives.
“As South Africa, we are saying you cannot come here to hide from crimes you have committed in other countries. We will find you,” she said. “We will put resources together to make sure we root out all forms of crime in our country.”
Police added that at least 18 other Chinese fugitives are believed to be hiding in South Africa, with investigations ongoing to locate and apprehend them.