Nigerian national and a Cambodian were arraigned before the
Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Friday, January 27, for their
involvement in a scheme to steal $300 from a Cambodian
woman through a fake promotional contest.
37-year-old Uchechukwu Vincent and 27-year-old Sarim
Kunthea had been charged with fraud after being sued by Keo
Sotheary, 28, and arrested on September 8, 2016.
“They were arrested by the police while coming to get $300
from the victim at a Wing transfer shop in Chom Chao
commune," Judge Ros Piseth said, adding that police had
seized the money during the arrest.
According to court documents, the pair called the woman
and told her she won first prize in a promotional contest in
September 2016. But Ms. Sotheary was told to send them
$300 through Wing for “information and preparation for
receiving the prize.”
Ms. Sotheary became suspicious when she received several
follow-up calls asking her to send the money.
She filed a complaint with police, who subsequently set up a
sting operation to arrest Mr. Vincent and Ms. Kunthea at a
local Wing shop.
The two alleged scam artists, who had been living in an
apartment in Sansom Kosal 5 village in Phnom Penh’s
Chamkarmon district, denied the charges and said they had
never called or spoken to the victim.
They claimed a Nigerian friend named Ichinobi told them to
pick up the $300 from the Wing shop before they were
arrested.
"I did not know the victim. I have never called her or
contacted her. I did not do anything as the court has accused
and I would like them to release me," Mr. Vincent said.
The court’s verdict is due on the morning of February 7th.
Source: Khmer Times
