November 13, 2025
PHNOM PENH – Five of the ringleaders of a gang which allegedly impersonated Japanese police officers to commit online fraud have been charged for their role in online crimes, as well as drug offending. Four of the five charged were among 57 suspects arrested in a November 4 raid in Bavet town, while the fifth, a Chinese national, reportedly remains at large. No details of the mystery ringleader were released.
A spokesman for the Svay Rieng Provincial Prosecutor said on November 12 that the five, including three Chinese and two Cambodian nationals, posed as Tokyo Police officers to extort funds from their victims. Authorities found two sets of Tokyo police uniforms, two Japanese police identity cards and eight seals with Chinese characters.
“After examining the evidence and reports of the judicial police officers, as well as the testimonies of the suspects, the prosecutor charged three Chinese and two Cambodians with technology-based fraud, conspiracy and the illegal use of drugs,” said the spokesperson in a press release.
In addition to these charges, the prosecutor also ordered the judicial police officers to investigate possible money laundering activities.
Fifty-seven individuals of six nationalities were arrested in the raid, in Bavet Kandal village, Bavet commune. The authorities determined that they had disguised themselves as foreign officials to threaten victims in their online fraud operations.