Diep Van Ban and Ou Duong, both 20 years old, were apprehended by border guards on 16/1 while illegally re-entering China through a Guangxi checkpoint. Both confessed to illegal border crossing and participating in scam activities, leading to their criminal detention. This development follows a widely publicized search by Ban's mother, Ms. Fei, who had ventured alone into Cambodia's notorious scam centers to find her son.

Ms. Fei garnered significant attention after posting a distress call on social media, seeking help to find Ban, whom she believed was imprisoned and abused in a Cambodian scam hub. Driven by concern, the single mother traveled alone to Cambodia from 5/12/2025 to 4/1/2026. She risked entering a scam center in hopes of finding clues about Ban's whereabouts, returning to China on 5/1 when her visa expired.

Diep Van Ban. *Photo: China Newsweek*

The Chinese Embassy in Cambodia confirmed that it coordinated with the Cambodian government, police, and relevant agencies to conduct a nationwide search for those who had lost contact. Under pressure from recent crackdowns on telecom fraud by both Chinese and Cambodian authorities, the scam center released Ban and Ou Duong.

The incident began on 7/8/2025, when the Public Security Bureau of Yangshan County, Shangrao City, Jiangxi Province, received a distress call around 22h. The report stated that Diep Van Ban and his friend, Ou Duong, had traveled to Yunnan Province on 28/7 and lost contact with their families eight days later.

Investigations revealed that in early 7/2025, Ban frequently discussed the idea of "going abroad to make quick money" with others. Around 17h on 30/7, Ban and Ou Duong arrived in Pu'er City, Yunnan. When they attempted an illegal border crossing, border control officers intercepted them and persuaded them to turn back. The officers immediately notified Ban's mother and Ou Duong's father.

However, the two friends ignored the warning and insisted on taking a detour to Baise City, Guangxi Province, on 1/8. By 3/8, they had successfully crossed the border illegally and joined telecom and online scam operations at a scam center in Cambodia. During their time there, they could move freely within the center but were not permitted to enter or exit at will.

The public security agency is conducting a deeper investigation to dismantle the entire chain of related criminal activities. The Chinese Embassy in Cambodia issued a notice reminding its citizens to enhance their safety awareness and self-protection. It emphasized that foreign countries are not "money-making paradises," and those who illegally cross borders to engage in telecom fraud, online scams, and other unlawful activities will face legal punishment.

Tue Anh (according to Jiupai News, The Paper)