PHNOM PENH (The Phnom Penh Post/ANN) - Eighteen Chinese nationals were arrested for internet scams and extortion in Kampong Speu province’s Baset district.

Eighteen Chinese nationals who were arrested on Wednesday for

internet scams and extortion in Kampong Speu province’s Baset district

are currently being questioned at the provincial police headquarters.

Baset district police chief Um Chamroeun told The Post on Thursday

that the Kampong Speu provincial task force cracked down and detained

the suspects around 10am on Wednesday. Among the 18, 12 were Taiwanese

nationals.

Chamroeun said the ages of the detained ranged from 20 to more than

30. He said he did not know exactly what crimes they were accused of.

He said the group worked out of an office in Svay Chachib commune’s

Char village, which they had leased for two months from an intermediary

lessor.

He could not confirm whether the suspects were involved in internet scams or not.

“The Chinese suspects came to stay without informing local

authorities, but the police were made aware of the case because locals

reported it to them. We sent our informants who then confirmed the

Chinese suspects were there,” said Chamroeun.

The report said police seized five laptops, 29 mobile phones, 33 desk

phones, four iPads, one desktop computer, two printers and office

equipment along with two piles of a total of 52 fake bills of US

currency.

Provincial police chief Sam Samuon and his deputy Nhem Sao claimed that they were unaware of the case.