Police officers have arrested four Chinese nationals who are suspected of kidnapping fellow countryman and extorting money from him in Preah Sihanouk province, authorities said, adding that a second Chinese national was rescued during the operation.
The alleged kidnapping took place at about 5pm on October 19 in Village 3, Sangkat 2, Sihanoukville, according to a statement from the Ministry of Interior’s Criminal Police Department.
Initial reports identified the victim as Zhen Zhibin, a Chinese national, who lived in the village.
Specialist officers worked with the Preah Sihanouk and Kandal provincial police to locate the suspects.
The investigation culminated in a raid on a property in Chedey Treit village, Vihear Luong commune, Ponhea Leu district, Kandal province, which freed Zhen.
Four Chinese men taken onto custody during the October 21 operation, which occurred at around 3am.
They were identified as Huang Qian, 31; Huang Hui, 38; Huang Hai, 32; and Luo Min, 37.
Officers seized a handgun, a folding knife, a hammer and other weapons, with the suspects and evidence transferred to the Preah Sihanouk provincial police for legal proceedings.
Authorities have not reported whether the alleged kidnappings were linked to online scam operations, which have been the subject of major law enforcement crackdowns in Cambodia.