Suspected China bride traffickers busted in Phnom Penh

Two Chinese bachelors and a Khmer-Chinese couple were arrested on Saturday on suspicion of trafficking young Cambodian women to become brides in China. Military Police

Four people were arrested on Saturday morning for allegedly attempting to traffic Cambodian women to China, with two of their would-be victims narrowly escaping the scheme.

Ji Jiaxin, from China, and his Khmer wife, Teo Oeun, were arrested after intelligence from Christian anti-trafficking group AIM suggested they were attempting to wed two young women to Chinese husbands, according to Phnom Penh’s Military Police.

The two would-be husbands, Zhang Liang, 27, and Yan Fan, 28, were also arrested in the Military Police raid on a guesthouse in the capital’s Meanchey district.

Police said the brokering couple had already trafficked three women to China via Vietnam, but their current whereabouts and wellbeing were unknown.

The two victims in Saturday’s raid were a 24-year-old and 27-year-old from Takeo who had been promised $4,000 if they married Chinese men, according to a statement posted to the Military Police Facebook page.

The alleged traffickers were discovered after they were overheard discussing wedding plans and documentation in a Meanchey coffee shop, the statement said.

A wedding ceremony had already been held for Liang and the 24-year-old Khmer woman last Sunday, and the group of six arrived in Phnom Penh last Monday to finalise passports and other documents.

AIM founder Don Brewster could not be reached on Sunday and other AIM staff declined to comment.

Contact author: Soth Koemsoeun

MOST VIEWED

Ministry orders all schools, public and private, to close for SEA Games
From April 20 to May 18, all public and private educational institutions will be closed to maintain order and support Cambodia's hosting of the 32nd SEA Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games, said a directive from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. Cambodia will host the
Newest horror film showcases unique Khmer culture, identity
At first glance, the trailer to new horror sensation The Ritual: Black Nun looks like a western-produced feature film. As the story reveals itself to the viewers, it becomes clearer that this is a Khmer film, with a strong Cambodian identity and close links to
Almost 9K tourists see equinox sunrise at Angkor Wat
Nearly 9,000 visitors – including 2,226 international tourists – gathered at Angkor Wat on March 21 to view the spring equinox sunrise, according to a senior official of the Siem Reap provinical tourism department. Ngov Seng Kak, director of the department, said a total of 8,726 people visited Angkor Wat to
Angkor Beer strengthens national pride with golden new look and fresher taste
Angkor Beer – the "Gold of Angkor" – has a new look, one that is more stylish and carries a premium appeal, as well as a fresher taste and smoother flavour, making it the perfect choice for any gathering. Angkor Beer recently launched its new design, one
Water supply authority assures public shortages over early ‘24
The Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA) asked for understanding from Phnom Penh residents in some communes where water pressure is weak. They assured residents that all supply issues will be resolved by early 2024, but have suggested that residents use water sparingly in the meantime.
Khmer ballet documentary debuts April 1
A new documentary, The Perfect Motion, or Tep Hattha in Khmer, will premiere to the public on April 1. The documentary film follows two intertwined storylines: the creation of a show called Metamorphosis by the late Princess Norodom Buppha Devi (her very last production) and the