Fifteen North Koreans Arrested in Online Gambling Ring

Fifteen North Korean nationals on Thursday were arrested for allegedly running an illegal online gambling operation in Phnom Penh’s Tuol Kok district, police said.

The arrests followed a weeklong investigation into the operation, said National Police spokesman Kirth Chantharith.

“This group was followed for more than a week. They ran an operation out of a rental villa,” he said, declining to give any further details about the investigation or arrests.

Lieutenant General Chantharith said the 15 people were detained and questioned at the National Police headquarters and would likely be sent to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court today.

“We might send them tomorrow,” he said. Phnom Penh police declined to comment.

Last year, nine South Koreans were arrested, along with four Cambodians, for participating in an online gambling ring.

In that case, the group set up card tables in a Siem Reap hotel and used a video linkup to connect with players overseas.

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Correction: An earlier version of this story identified the 15 arrested as South Korean nationals. They are North Korean nationals.

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