Phnom Penh:The Cambodian National Police, in collaboration with the Singapore Police Force, have successfully intercepted and returned US$12.8 million to a victim of an online scam. This recovery involved a Business Email Compromise (BEC) scheme, as stated in a press release from the General Commissariat of National Police on Oct. 29.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the Singapore Police Force was alerted on Oct. 26 about a fraud case where a petrochemical company in Singapore was deceived into transferring US$12.8 million to a suspicious bank account located in Cambodia. The fraudsters reportedly used a fake email address to trick the company into making the transfer.

Following the alert, the Singapore Police Force sought assistance from the General Commissariat of National Police through the 24/7 Hotline Scam working group. In response, the Cambodian National Police collaborated with the National Bank of Cambodia and other relevant institutions to intercept and recover the funds successfully, returning the money to the victim.

The General Commissariat of National Police highlighted that the case underscored its ability and commitment to international cooperation in preventing and combating transnational crime and online scams. The Commissariat also commended the Singapore Police Force, the National Bank of Cambodia, and other associated institutions for their effective partnership in addressing online fraud.