Lieutenant General Chuon Narin, commander of the Phnom Penh capital police, announced on 21/11 the arrest of eight suspects, aged 24 to 35, from a gang specializing in impersonating military police to extort property from tourists in Cambodia.

The special case was launched after police received information that the gang had illegally detained and extorted over 50,000 USD from a 29-year-old Chinese tourist named Long Jun, who resides in an apartment in Boeung Keng Kang district, on 15/11.

Eight suspects from the robbery gang specializing in impersonating military police in Cambodia. Photo: Phnom Penh Post

The crackdown operation took place two days prior, led by the Serious Crime Office of the Phnom Penh Police Department, in coordination with police from Kandal, Takeo, Kampot, Siem Reap, and Preah Sihanouk provinces. Search and arrest operations were carried out simultaneously at multiple locations four days after the initial incident. Investigators seized a white auto with Kampot provincial license plates, a gray auto with Phnom Penh license plates, four guns, six phones, 38 rounds of ammunition, seven handcuffs, four military police uniforms, and two fake military police ID cards.

Military police, a branch of Cambodia's armed forces, are responsible for ensuring internal security and social order. This force has law enforcement functions, investigating and preventing organized crime.

Among the suspects, four were drivers specializing in serving Chinese clients. Police are continuing to investigate whether the gang intentionally targeted the customers they served.

Investigators have initially cataloged at least six similar kidnapping and extortion cases involving this gang. Lieutenant General Chuon Narin stated that the criminal group not only endangers tourists but also severely damages the reputation of law enforcement and the country's image in the eyes of the international community.

Thanh Danh (According to Khmer Times, Phnom Penh Post)