Cambodia Arrests 12 Suspects in Tech Scam and Money Laundering Case

Phnom Penh, Cambodia – A court in Cambodia's capital has ordered the temporary detention of 12 suspects accused of involvement in technology-based fraud and money laundering. The arrests and subsequent detention were announced following investigations into criminal activities suspected to have occurred within the country. Judge Hong Marinic of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court issued the order on September 4, mandating the temporary custody of the accused. These individuals are suspected of engaging in fraudulent schemes utilizing technological systems and of facilitating money laundering operations. Prior to the court's decision, law enforcement agencies conducted thorough investigations and gathered substantial evidence pertaining to the alleged fraudulent and money laundering activities. The court's ruling identified the 12 suspects as six Cambodian nationals, four Chinese nationals, one Malaysian national, and one Pakistani national. The Cambodian suspects are named as Phat Sophi, Sim Thina, Sok Makara, Um Yun, Chhoeun Vicheany, and Seng Sally. The Chinese suspects are identified as ZHANG TAO, TAN WEI, LIU HAO, and SHANG TING. The Malaysian suspect is LIM PIN ANG, and the Pakistani suspect is ALI AWAIS. All accused individuals have been formally charged by the prosecutor with "technology-based fraud and money laundering." They have been transferred to Correctional Centers No. 1 and No. 2 (M1 and M2) for temporary detention while legal proceedings continue. During the investigative operations at various related locations, authorities seized a significant quantity of items. This includes 2,377 mobile phones, 245 All-in-One computers, 24 CPUs, 20 monitors, 5 laptops, and 5 Wi-Fi devices. Further seizures included eight passports, one white BYD vehicle, three motorcycles of brands PG1, Arguy, and KAWASAKI, along with a large number of foreign and international SIM cards. This crackdown is considered a part of the Cambodian authorities' ongoing efforts to combat and suppress the use of technology for criminal purposes and to prevent cross-border criminal offenses, thereby safeguarding national security, social order, and the welfare of its citizens.