It was hardly the work of a criminal mastermind, but a fraudster in Phnom Penh managed to persuade a couple to pay $2,000 for a box he assured them contained $1 million in cash.

The man, working with an accomplice, deceived the clueless pair into handing over their savings for the box – which actually contained only a 100-riel note – during an exchange in Daun Penh district.

The thrill of so easily tricking his victims quickly wore off when the man was arrested. His accomplice escaped. KAMPUCHEA THMEY