Five Chinese gamblers not only lost their money at a casino in Preah Sihanouk province but also faced the wrath of money lenders who locked them up for days.

Provincial deputy police chief Chin Vichea said three Chinese nationals lost all their money while gambling at the Oriental Pearl Casino on Tuesday.

They then allegedly borrowed cash from money lenders operating at the casino to continue gambling, but failed to win and could not repay their debts.

According to police investigations, the suspects locked up the three in a room inside the casino and demanded they contact their families or friends to help settle the debts.

The incident was exposed when another Chinese national lodged a police report that his friend Li Shi Guo, was held captive inside the casino for several days.

“We arrested the suspects after receiving information from a Chinese man, who claimed his friend was detained in room 8301, and he asked us to rescue him immediately,” said Vichea yesterday, adding that the suspects will appear at the provincial court to face legal proceedings.