Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - 36 internet ‘scammers’ caught

36 internet ‘scammers’ caught

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Confiscated goods allegedly used in a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) scam. Photo supplied

36 internet ‘scammers’ caught

Thirty-six people will be brought to court and charged today in relation to a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) scam after phones, computers and $20,000 in cash were seized in a joint Military Police operation.

The suspects – 26 Thai nationals, six Taiwanese and four Cambodians – were arrested in raids in Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville on Friday, with assistance from eight Thai police officers.

Cambodia’s Military Police Chief Sao Sokha said his force was yet to apprehend a Taiwanese couple, who are suspected of masterminding the VoIP scheme, as they had likely already fled to Taipei. Sokha said the alleged fraudsters used a range of scams, from posing as police to claiming to have compromising information in order to blackmail unwitting victims.

"They used so many scenarios to make victims believe [them] so [they get] scared and give money," Sokha said. "Most of the victims are abroad . . . [the suspects] just hide here to operate the scam. We don’t let our land be used by any foreigners to create crimes to harm other countries."

He said the alleged scammers would likely be deported, citing Cambodia and Thailand’s extradition treaty. It remained unclear yesterday if or where the Taiwanese suspects would be deported. In the past, Cambodia has sent Taiwanese suspects to mainland China out of deference to the One China policy, angering the independent Taiwanese government. Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs was unable to comment as of press time yesterday, while Thailand’s Foreign Ministry spokesman could not be reached.

MOST VIEWED

  • Ream base allegations must end, urges official

    A senior government official urges an end to the allegations and suspicions surrounding the development of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, now that Prime Minister Hun Manet has addressed the issue on the floor of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78). Jean-Francois Tain, a geopolitical

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • CP denied registration documents by ministry

    The Ministry of Interior will not reissue registration documents to the Candlelight Party (CP). Following a September 21 meeting between ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and CP representatives, the ministry cited the fact that there is no relevant law which would authorise it to do

  • PM to open new Siem Reap int’l airport December 1

    Prime Minister Hun Manet and Chinese leaders would jointly participate in the official opening of the new Chinese-invested Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport on December 1. The airport symbolises a new page in the history of Cambodian aviation, which will be able to welcome long-distance flights to

  • Cambodian diaspora laud Manet’s UN Assembly visit

    Members of the Cambodian diaspora are rallying in support of Prime Minister Hun Manet’s forthcoming visit to the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) in the US’ New York City this week. Their move is an apparent response to a recent call by self-exiled former

  • Minimum wage set at $204, after Sep 28 vote

    The minimum wage for factory workers in the garment, footwear and travel goods industries for 2024 has been decided at $204 per month, with the government contributing $2. Following several negotiation sessions, the tripartite talks reached an agreement during a September 28 vote, with 46 of 51 votes supporting the $202 figure.