A sudden night raid by the police in Phnom Penh revealed a massive online scam enterprise quietly operating in a modern high-rise apartment building. The case has attracted attention very fast because it has dozens of both suspects and victims who are of European origin.
This was done after one week of thorough research. In the Boeng Keng Kang area, officers had gone into a condo unit and accused over 60 individuals. They included Cambodian citizens and some Chinese nationals who were suspected to be spearheading the operation.
Inside the Hidden Operation
Law enforcers claimed that the group operated mostly during the night where they conducted internet based investment fraud. Such frauds usually defraud victims with a promise of high returns. Most of the victims were allegedly of European origin, which rendered the case international.
The raid was confirmed by the police chief Chuon Narin but provided few details. It has been reported that the suspects were on the 30th floor of a building called Golden One Service Apartment, which was a normal building on the exterior.
Expansive Crackdown Citywide.
Cambodian officials have been working harder to prevent such unlawful practices. The Phnom Penh governor mentioned that approximately 4,000 city buildings have already been inspected on the issue of such operations. These checks are included in an extended campaign to purify scam networks.
By April, the government would like to eliminate these groups altogether. This strategy started at the beginning of this year following pressure by the other countries and increasing concern about the world perception of Cambodia.
Concerns Beyond the Arrests
Although people regarded the arrests as a step in the right direction, not all experts are indifferent. They claim that due attention is not paid to influential people who might be related to such networks. It is also reported that other victims of trafficking escaped prior to raids but were not assisted much after the rescuing.
Recently the Prime Minister Hun Manet addressed the matter by saying that Cambodia needs to take decisive action in preventing such crimes. He said that such scams not only spoil the victims in other countries but also tarnish the image of the country.
Investigations are still ongoing and more information is likely to be availed as the authorities dig deeper into the network.
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