Chinese gambling kingpin accused of massive scam arrested in Montenegro

Chinese national Wang Shuiming, a fugitive sought across Asia for his alleged role in a $2.3 billion online gambling fraud, has been arrested in Montenegro following an Interpol Red Notice issued by China.  
    
Wang, 42, was detained at Tivat Airport upon arrival from the Maldives, where authorities flagged his identity during routine passport checks for private jet passengers. Montenegro’s border police confirmed the arrest as part of a broader effort to combat financial crime and illicit activities.  

Authorities allege that Wang was the mastermind behind an illegal online betting network that defrauded users and laundered billions through a sophisticated web of financial and technology firms across multiple jurisdictions.  

According to law enforcement sources, Wang entered Montenegro using a passport from Vanuatu, one of four nationalities he has acquired. He is also believed to hold Chinese, Turkish, and Cambodian passports, raising concerns about his ability to evade authorities for years.  

Singaporean officials had flagged his financial activities after he relocated there in 2019, leading to investigations into his wealth and questionable citizenship status.  

Wang is suspected of having close ties to Su Weiji, another high-profile Chinese national accused of digital currency fraud. Investigative reports by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) suggest Wang worked alongside Wang Bingang, helping launder illicit gambling profits through offshore financial entities.  

Authorities believe Wang falsified corporate financial records to present a facade of legitimate business activities, allowing him to move vast sums undetected.  

The scale of Wang’s alleged criminal enterprise became apparent in August 2023, when Singaporean authorities seized $2.3 billion in assets linked to his network. Ten individuals were arrested, and an international search was launched for eight more suspects. Wang had evaded capture until his arrest in Montenegro.