Two men who claimed to be bodyguards for senior government officials have been charged with fraud and the illegal possession of a weapon after their weekend arrests in Siem Reap.

The two were charged with fraud and possessing a weapon without legal authorisation under articles 377, 378 and 480 of the Criminal Code.

“The suspect named O Kehoeun, 60, worked as an assistant for a senior government official.

“The other suspect is identified as Bun Chanthoeun, 61,” said the court order signed by judge Chanthol on Tuesday.

Siem Reap provincial Military Police on Saturday arrested Kehoeun and Chanthoeun for allegedly claiming that they could help people obtain land titles for disputes with the Apsara Authority, which manages Siem Reap’s Angkor Archaeological Park, local media reported on Thursday.

They also claimed to be able to procure jobs in the army as soldiers, doctors and teachers, saying only a three-month wait was needed to take up the positions.

During their arrest authorities confiscated one pistol, five bullets and three sets of bodyguard uniforms.

Kehoeun and Chanthoeun confessed to their crimes while being questioned by police.