PHNOM PENH: Authorities in Preah Sihanouk province have detained 45 foreign nationals and seized a range of equipment suspected of being used to commit online technology-based fraud.
The operations were uncovered as part of an ongoing enforcement operation related to the implementation of Sub-Decree No. 03, which dictates that landlords and property managers must report the presence of foreign guests and ensure that the are in the Kingdom legally.
On April 21, provincial authorities inspected 17 locations. Three of them were found to be linked to online scam activities and were subsequently raided.
At the first location — a rental house owned by an individual identified as Yos Savath in Thma Thom village, Ream commune, Sihanoukville — authorities detained four Chinese men. Seized items included four desktop computers, one laptop and 38 mobile phones.
At the second site, a bungalow in Ream village and commune, authorities detained 36 foreign nationals along with numerous evidence, including 18 desktop computers and 72 mobile phones. The nationalities of those present was not reported.
At the third location, a rented villa in Village 4, Sangkat 4, Sihanoukville, five Chinese men were arrested, with authorities confiscating 13 desktop computers and seven mobile phones.
All 45 suspects and the seized evidence have been transferred to the Preah Sihanouk Provincial Police headquarters.
As of April 21, the number of locations raided on in connection with online scam operations in the province had reached 32.
The crackdown follows the recent enforcement of Cambodia’s Law on Combating Technology-Based Fraud, which came into effect at on April 7, the day after being signed into law by acting head of state Hun Sen.
The law introduces five new criminal offences which are specific to online fraud operations.
Offenders found guilty under these provisions face severe penalties, including life imprisonment, fines of up to one billion riel (US$250,000) or confiscation of assets. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
