November 24, 2025
PHNOM PENH – Eight Cambodian men have been arrested and four handguns seized in connection with impersonating law enforcement officers to kidnap and extort money from multiple foreign nationals in Phnom Penh.
The Phnom Penh Police busted the gang, who disguised themselves as police officers to detain foreigners and extort money from them several times at various locations across the capital.
In the latest case, the suspects allegedly kidnapped a Chinese national at 3.20am on November 5, before extorting more than $50,000, according to a November 21 National Police statement.
The victim, a 29-year-old Chinese man named Long Jun, lived at a condo in Boeung Keng Kang district, according to the police.
On November 19, the Phnom Penh Criminal Police Department, in cooperation with the 14 district police in Phnom Penh and the police units in Kandal, Takeo, Kampot, Siem Reap and Preah Sihanouk provinces, launched a coordinated investigation which led to the arrest of eight suspects.
“Based on their confessions, the eight suspects admitted to carrying out six confirmed cases of kidnapping and extortion,” it stated.
Seized evidence included two Prius cars, four handguns (two Glock 19s, a Sig Sauer and a Springfield Armory) with 38 rounds, six mobile phones, 7 pairs of handcuffs, four Royal Gendarmerie uniforms and two copies of Gendarmerie ID cards.
Four of the eight suspects were reportedly employed as drivers for Chinese clients. It was not immediately clear if the men they robbed were their employers. The suspects are currently being processed by the Criminal Police.