(Phnom Penh): The Investigating Judge of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court ordered the temporary detention of eight suspects linked to an online scam operation, while investigations continue to identify and arrest other masterminds for prosecution in accordance with the law.

The eight suspects are among those identified by a joint task force during a nationwide crackdown on online scams conducted from 27 June to 19 July 2025.

On 12 July 2025, the deputy prosecutor of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court proceeded with criminal case No. 4042, submitted by the Cybercrime Office of the Security Planning Division under the Phnom Penh Municipal Police. The office referred eight suspects along with several pieces of evidence related to the online scam. The suspects are named FAN TUN, WU KWOK HUNG, NG CHUN KEAN KENNY, TANG KING HIN, YANG GUI SHUN, LING JINGHUA, BU LONG, and ZHOU KAI ZHI.

After reviewing the police reports, initial forensic results on computers and mobile phones, and other pieces of evidence, as well as conducting suspect interrogations, the court found that this group, arrested at 1:00 p.m. on 7 July 2025 at DYVITH HOTEL on Street 1011, Oknha Vaing Village, Phnom Penh Thmey, Sen Sok District, had been running an online scam. They had set up a studio to produce pornographic videos and images, impersonated Chinese police officers to extort money through forged legal documents, and committed a “Roman scam” by creating fake social media accounts to deceive victims into sending money.

As a result, the prosecutor filed charges against all eight suspects and other unknown ringleaders for organized fraud involving deception, impersonation, and extortion. The case was forwarded to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court under indictment warrant No. 2710, dated 16 July 2025, for further legal proceedings.

During the judicial investigation, the judge examined both the factual circumstances and legal grounds, along with the evidence in the case file and the suspects’ statements. The findings were consistent, leading the judge to decide on the temporary detention of all eight suspects while investigations continue to apprehend additional ringleaders for court prosecution.

The court has confirmed that legal action will be pursued against all individuals found to be involved in this online scam, without exception.
=FRESH NEWS