Four Chinese Nationals Arrested in Cambodia for $1 Million Extortion Attempt

Four Chinese nationals have been arrested in Cambodia's capital, Phnom Penh, and sent to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court for legal proceedings, in connection with the detention and extortion of $1 million from a Chinese man. The incident occurred around 9:30 PM on July 26, 2026, at House No. 8, Concrete Road, Borey Varina, Chhang Toun Village, Krang Thnong Sangkat, Sen Sok District, Phnom Penh. According to police, the four suspects were arrested sequentially on July 29, 2026, in Krang Thnong Sangkat, Sen Sok District. The suspects are identified as YE SHENGJIANG (36 years old), QIAO GEZI (44 years old), ZHANG WEI (36 years old), and LI MING (40 years old), all Chinese nationals. The victim is identified as LI MINGJIE (46 years old, Chinese), an employee of a car sales company in Phnom Penh. Police reported that on the night of July 26, 2026, one of the suspects contacted the victim via TikTok. The two had known each other through TikTok since 2024 and had discussed business matters. The suspect told the victim they wanted to buy bird's nests. As the victim knew where to buy them wholesale, they arranged to meet at the aforementioned house. The victim drove his silver 2006 Toyota Prius to the meeting location, unaware that three of the suspect's accomplices were waiting there. After sitting and talking for a while, the suspects allegedly ganged up on the victim, tying his hands behind his back with zip ties and assaulting him with their hands and feet, causing bruises on both his arms and legs, and a bruised right eye. Police stated that one suspect produced a handgun, pointed it at the victim's right thigh, and threatened to shoot him dead while demanding $1 million. When the victim claimed he had no money, the suspects did not believe him and seized his mobile phone to check his bank account. Following an analysis of security camera footage, authorities located a black Lexus with Cambodian license plate V.B.8898, suspected to be the vehicle used by the suspects to transport the victim. Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of the four suspects and the seizure of several items, including a bag of zip ties, two knives, adhesive tape, eight license plates, a Suraki pistol with one magazine and six bullets, and the black Lexus with Cambodian license plate V.B.8898.