Following the detention and deportation of the 'fraud king' Chen Zhi to China, the Cambodia-China Times has reported that Cambodian police have recently arrested another leader of telecom fraud, Huang Jimao. Once bestowed the title 'Oknha' (lord), Huang Jimao is the notorious owner of the scam park known as 'Royal Paradise Park.'
On Thursday, Phnom Penh Municipal Court investigating judge Sie Vibadhana ruled to detain Huang Jimao, temporarily holding him at Prey Sar Prison in Phnom Penh for further judicial proceedings.
Huang Jimao, 50 years old, is a Cambodian of Chinese descent, known in Khmer as (Li Kuong). He was once titled 'Oknha.' He is the owner of the large integrated complex 'Royal Paradise Park' in Preah Sihanouk Province, and formerly served as President of the Sihanoukville Casino Association. He is involved in real estate, casinos, hotels, construction, and other industries.
Foreign Media Exposed Abuse in the Park
The BBC once reported that the horrific abuse and harsh environment inside Royal Paradise Park are widely known. In June 2022, a Chinese man named Mi Lijun fell ill inside Royal Paradise Park, was denied treatment, and abandoned by the roadside on a highway.
The Cambodia-China Times obtained court documents showing that prosecutors accuse Huang Jimao of being a key planner and executor of organized online fraud criminal activities, suspected of the illegal recruitment of personnel for exploitation, aggravated fraud, and money laundering. The related criminal acts are said to have taken place in Cambodia and other regions from 2019 to the present, allegedly violating Article 377 and 380 of the Criminal Code, as well as Article 38 of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Law and other relevant legal provisions.
Investigations also found that the suspect allegedly used casinos and hotels as venues for the long-term illegal detention of people to carry out online fraud activities, holding a central controlling role within the related criminal network.