The former chief executive of a local branch of microfinance institution Prasac in Kandal province has been arrested for allegedly defrauding victims out of roughly $160,000, according to a local official.

Kandal Provincial Court spokesman Ek Sun Reaksmey said that Loch Cham Roeun, 33, the former boss at the firm’s Ang Snuol district office, was detained on Thursday by police in Siem Reap province after returning from Thailand, where he allegedly fled in February.

Reaksmey said Cham Roeun was the subject of multiple complaints. He said the man was accused of swindling more than $160,000 but was unable to give more details about the complaint.

“He has been put in pre-trial detention and not yet tried,” Reaksmey said, adding that 10 people were expected to file further complaints against the accused today.

“He had failed to appear at the court after the second summons of investigating judge Y Sovann, so he was arrested.”

When contacted yesterday, a Prasac representative said the company could not comment because it was Sunday.