PHNOM PENH: Phnom Penh authorities conducted several May 26 raids on online scam compounds, resulting in the arrest of 61 Chinese nationals — including six women — linked to various forms of technology-based fraud.
Meanwhile, police in Svay Rieng province arrested nine foreign suspects, including Malaysians and a Vietnamese national, also in connection with online scam activities.
The first Phnom Penh raid targeted a property on Street 163 in Veal Vong commune, 7 Makara district. Authorities arrested six Chinese Taipei nationals, including one woman.
Police seized four mobile phones, one all-in-one computer, nine monitors and four CPU units.
In the second operation in the capital, authorities from Chbar Ampov district raided three suspected scam locations in Borey Peng Huoth, Veal Sbov commune.
The raids resulted in the arrest of 55 Chinese nationals, including five women. Authorities confiscated 98 all-in-one computers, five laptops, nine monitors, seven CPUs, 113 mobile phones, three Wi-Fi devices and several foreign SIM cards.
Preliminary investigations indicate the suspects used Cambodia as a base for operating fake e-commerce websites, fraudulent online marketplaces and investment scams designed to lure victims from Taiwan and mainland China with promises of jobs and financial returns.
According to the Secretariat of the Committee for Combatting Online Scams, all 61 suspects, along with the seized evidence, have been transferred to the Phnom Penh Municipal Police for further legal action.
Meanwhile, police in Svay Rieng province raided a rented house in Bavet suspected of being used for online scam activities.
The May 22 operation involved local authorities, the Interior Security Department of the National Police and prosecutors from the provincial court.
Authorities arrested nine foreign nationals during the raid, including eight Malaysians — one of them a woman — and one Vietnamese national.
Police also seized multiple all-in-one desktop computers, monitors, mobile phones and other equipment linked to the alleged scam activities.
The suspects and evidence are currently being processed for court proceedings, while authorities have temporarily sealed and shut down the property used for the operation. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
