UPDATE

Cambodia News, (Phnom Penh): According to the National Police General Commission, a group of 14 suspects were arrested by the joint forces on March 25, 2021, at the Positano Boutique Hotel, Street 144, Sangkat Phsar Kandal 1, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh, in connection with a case of illegal detention and extortion.

According to the report of Colonel Eng Sophea, Director of the Serious Crime Police Office of the Phnom Penh Municipal Police, on March 20, 2021, at 6:00 PM, a group of suspects went to seize HUANG WENG XUAN, a Chinese man, at the Prince Central Plaza condiminium in Sangkat Tonle Bassac, Khan Chamkarmon, Phnom Penh. The victim was tricked into going with the men, and found himself imprisoned at the SKYLINE Hotel, in Sangkat Mittapheap, Khan 7 Makara, Phnom Penh. The suspects demanded $ 30,000 in exchange for the Chinese man's release, which did not occur until March 23, 2021, when the victim paid the ransom money.


Colonel Eng Sophea added that on March 25, 2021, the Office of Serious Criminal Police cooperated with the Criminal Department of the Ministry of Interior, Chamkar Mon District Police Inspectorate, Sen Sok District Police Inspectorate, Daun Penh District Police Inspectorate and with the coordination of Mr. Muth Dara, Deputy Prosecutor of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, police conducted a raid, and arrested the suspects at the Positano Boutique Hotel, Street 144, Sangkat Phsar Kandal 1.

During the operation, police arrested 14 suspects: seven Chinese and seven Vietnamese nationals.

The seized items include: a black Star Rich car, with license plate Phnom Penh 2AX-7198 (action vehicle), 3 pairs of handcuffs, 1 electric baton, 4 machetes, 4 metal rods.
( POST NEWS)

Kammekor wrote: ↑Fri Mar 26, 2021 5:35 pm

CEOCambodiaNews wrote: ↑Fri Mar 26, 2021 5:28 pm

Kammekor wrote: ↑Fri Mar 26, 2021 4:50 pm

clutchcargo wrote: ↑Fri Mar 26, 2021 4:19 pm

The kidnapping case took place at the Positano Boutique Hotel, on street 144, Sangkat Psar Kandal, Khan Don Penh, Phnom Penh.

This place just came out of 2 week lockdown for covid a week or so ago. And now this...

So we have twelve Chinese / Vietnamese holding two (Americans?) hostage in the Positano Hotel and the hotel didn't notice anything. Really? Fishy story.

Where did you get the idea that the hostages are American ? A photo shows two Asian men (who have not been named.)
Very strange story. If anyone has more info, please post it.

Last night I was on the corner of str 144 when it happened. I asked the police what happened and he told me there was trouble between Chinese and a(?) American(s). The American was hurt by the Chinese and that was the reason the police were there. Maybe they arrested the guys and accidentally found out about the hostages? The reason for the police to come was definitely an incident between Chinese and an (?) American.

So it's either a cover-up or someone was BSing you.

John Bingham wrote: ↑Sat Mar 27, 2021 1:42 am

CEOCambodiaNews wrote: ↑Fri Mar 26, 2021 5:28 pm
Where did you get the idea that the hostages are American ? A photo shows two Asian men (who have not been named.)
Very strange story. If anyone has more info, please post it.

Maybe they are Americans with Asian ethnicity?

The usual trend is that Chinese and Vietnamese extortionists kidnap Chinese and Vietnamese victims.

CEOCambodiaNews wrote: ↑Fri Mar 26, 2021 11:47 pm UPDATE

Cambodia News, (Phnom Penh): According to the National Police General Commission, a group of 14 suspects were arrested by the joint forces on March 25, 2021, at the Positano Boutique Hotel, Street 144, Sangkat Phsar Kandal 1, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh, in connection with a case of illegal detention and extortion.

According to the report of Colonel Eng Sophea, Director of the Serious Crime Police Office of the Phnom Penh Municipal Police, on March 20, 2021, at 6:00 PM, a group of suspects went to seize HUANG WENG XUAN, a Chinese man, at the Prince Central Plaza condiminium in Sangkat Tonle Bassac, Khan Chamkarmon, Phnom Penh. The victim was tricked into going with the men, and found himself imprisoned at the SKYLINE Hotel, in Sangkat Mittapheap, Khan 7 Makara, Phnom Penh. The suspects demanded $ 30,000 in exchange for the Chinese man's release, which did not occur until March 23, 2021, when the victim paid the ransom money.


Colonel Eng Sophea added that on March 25, 2021, the Office of Serious Criminal Police cooperated with the Criminal Department of the Ministry of Interior, Chamkar Mon District Police Inspectorate, Sen Sok District Police Inspectorate, Daun Penh District Police Inspectorate and with the coordination of Mr. Muth Dara, Deputy Prosecutor of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, police conducted a raid, and arrested the suspects at the Positano Boutique Hotel, Street 144, Sangkat Phsar Kandal 1.


( POST NEWS)

This hotel (the renamed Paragon) is/was one of the hot spots that is supposed to be quarintined.

The case as reported by the PPP today:

14 foreigners land in court for extortion under quarantine pretext
Orm Bunthoeurn | Publication date 27 March 2021 | 14:56 ICT

Phnom Penh municipal police have sent 14 Vietnamese and Chinese suspects to court after they disguised as health officials and held a Chinese national for ransom under the pretext of quarantine.

National Police spokesman Chhay Kimkhoeun said on March 27 the suspects were sent to court the previous day charged with extortion.

«We arrested them for extortion, not for impersonating health officials. It doesn't matter who they pretended to be, their main purpose was extortion. Whether they face additional charges or not depends on the court," he said.

Municipal court spokesman Kuch Kimlong said the court had not received the case file.

According to a National Police report, the suspects -- seven Chinese and seven Vietnamese nationals -- masqueraded as health officials and brought the victim from a hotel in Chamkarmon district's Tonle Bassac commune on March 20.

The suspects then confined the victim in another hotel in Prampi Makara district's Mittapheap commune before releasing him on March 23 after receiving a $30,000 ransom.

A joint force arrested the suspects at a hotel in Daun Penh district's Phsar Kandal I commune along with some evidence including a car and handcuffs, among others.
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/ ... ne-pretext