The Svay Rieng provincial court has ordered 68 Cambodians and 5 Chinese nationals placed in pre-trial detention in connection with technological fraud and conspiracy, while the authorities search for five additional Chinese nationals who are reportedly involved with the case.
According to an October 26 court press release, the 73 individuals in custody were arrested during an October 19 raid on a suspected scam compound in Bavet Kandal village, Bavet commune and town, as part of the current campaign to root out online crimes.
A court spokesperson said that all 73 of the detainees, plus 5 additional Chinese citizens, have been charged, under Articles 29, 377, and 378 of the Penal Code.
“After questioning the accused and examining the evidence, on October 25, the investigating judge of the Svay Rieng provincial court ordered the temporary detention of 5 Chinese nationals and 68 Cambodian nationals at the Svay Rieng provincial prison,” said the statement.
The judge is seeking the arrest of the 5 fugitive Chinese suspects.
In a separate case, Siem Reap authorities arrested three Chinese and one Vietnamese suspect at a rented villa in Sala Kanseng village, Svay Dangkum commune, Siem Reap town on October 24.
According to a police report, the suspects confessed to using romance scams to persuade victims to invest money in crypto currencies. They claimed that they targeted victims in other countries.
On the same day, authorities in the capital’s Chamkarmon district arrested 19 Vietnamese suspects at the Rose Condo building in Tonle Bassac commune.
Authorities determined that they were involved in fraud by forging public documents to send labourers to work abroad, as well as romance scams.
The authorities are continuing to build cases and will pursue legal action.
