The investigating judge of the Phnom Penh Municipal placed eight suspects linked to online scams in temporary pre-trial detention on July 20, as part of the latest efforts to supress these crimes. The current campaign has seen almost 3,000 suspects arrested.
The authorities are continuing to investigate and identify the shadowy masterminds behind the latest bust.
The eight were captured during a July 7 raid at the Dyvith Hotel in Oknha Vaing village, Phnom Penh Thmey commune, Sen Sok district, according to the Ministry of Information.
The court reviewed seized computers and mobile phones, examined other evidence and interrogated the suspects, which revealed that they had committed online scam offenses.
“Their actions included producing pornographic videos and images, setting up a studio to impersonate Chinese police officers, extorting and demanding money by forging legal documents, engaging in romance scams and creating fake social media accounts to deceive victims into transferring money,” said the ministry, in reference to information provided by the court.
The eight accused individuals were identified as Fan Tun, Wu Kwok Hung, Ng Chun Kean Kenny, Tang King Hin, Yang Gui Shun, Ling Jinghua, Bu Long and Zhou Kai Zhi. They were brought to court on July 12.
They have been charged “aggravated fraud as an organised group” and “forgery”.
The eight are among nearly 3,000 individuals detained in the capital and provinces in a nation-wide crackdown from June 27 to July 19.
