Joint forces working under the Committee for Combating Technology-Based Scams have arrested 14 key figures involved in cases of murder and human trafficking, during a large-scale operation to crack down on online scam-related crimes in Kampot province from August 8 to August 12.
According to a statement released last night, August 19, the committee conducted a major operation to dismantle criminal networks engaged in technology-based fraud.
The operation led to the arrest of multiple suspects and the issuance of detention orders for 14 ringleaders.
The operation targeted two locations in Bokor city’s Roluos village in Boeng Touk commune: Areas 3 and 4 of Villa Crown.
The first location saw police raid a villa, seizing equipment used for scams, including 301 mobile phones, 39 desktop computers and 14 tablets. Three suspects were sent to court, with efforts ongoing to apprehend additional leaders of the operation.
In the second case, the discovery of a dead Chinese national, Song Jinxin, inside a motor vehicle led to a raid on nearby building. Police identified the location as a building used for online scam operations.
Four suspects confessed to being behind the murder. They are currently detained temporarily pending transfer to court, with efforts ongoing to arrest other members of the gang. During this operation, authorities freed more than 10 South Korean nationals from the scam centre.
On August 9, Chhun Chanthaseiha, investigating judge at the Kampot Provincial Court issued warrants to detain five foreign nationals involved in murder and suspected online scam offenses. The five individuals were also residing in Roluos village on Bokor Mountain.
Three days later, Bung Huy, deputy prosecutor at the Kampot Provincial Court of First Instance, ordered five suspects — four foreigners and one Cambodian — into pre-trial detention for crimes related to human trafficking with the intent to sell, committed in Kep Thmey village, in Bokor city’s Boeng Touk commune.
Each of the locations has been placed under surveillance and will be monitored to ensure that all criminal activities are halted.
On July 14, the government announced a dedicated campaign to eradicate technology-based scams, with the active participation of relevant ministries and institutions. The initiative aims to contribute to maintaining public order and security.
As part of the campaign, authorities vowed to employ the strictest legal measures against the organisers of technology-based scams operations.
