Trial of ‘fraudster’ begins

The fraud trial of a Cambodian-American accused of swindling nine victims out of thousands began in Phnom Penh yesterday, with the defendant pledging to repay the debt while denying his guilt.

Suspect Vorn Yen William, 47, was arrested in June 2017 when he arrived in Cambodia.

According to a Phnom Penh Municipal Police report, William left for America in 1995, but returned to Cambodia and started an NGO.

William allegedly recruited people to work for his NGO in Australia, requiring between $10,000 and $20,000 from each employee. According to the complaint, after he received the money, he left for Australia and was not heard from again.

Victim Sue Vanny urged the judge to punish William.

“In 2015, the suspect Vorn Yen William promised to send the nine victims to work in Australia and he took $6,000 to $20,000 from the victims,” she claimed in court yesterday.

William claimed Australian officials never sent the paperwork. A verdict is due February 7.

Contact author: Niem Chheng

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