Alleged extortionist arrested in capital

A joint force of Phnom Penh municipal military police and Chroy Changvar district military police officers arrested a man on Tuesday for attempting to extort $80,000 from a woman by threatening to upload a pornographic video of her onto the internet, police said.

“Authorities arrested the suspect based on the victim’s complaint, but no lawsuit has been filed yet,” National Military Police spokesman Brigadier General Kheng Tito said yesterday. “Military police forces are interrogating the suspect in order to prepare the suit for court. The victim was also invited … to clarify the case.”

Police arrested Lem Seyha, aka Thorn Seyha, a local bus driver, on Tuesday in Chroy Changvar commune based on a complaint filed by the victim, Tito said.

Additionally, Phnom Penh military police deputy chief Phan Daravuth confirmed that the suspect is being questioned in relation to the case.

Seyha was allegedly involved in an intimate relationship with the victim and was therefore able to capture compromising footage of her, which he then threatened to post on the web.

Authorities say the victim initially agreed to pay Seyha $80,000 following his blackmail threats. However, soon afterward, the victim reported the case to the capital’s municipal military police force in order to set up a sting operation.

The victim reportedly instructed Seyha to pick up the money on the east side of the Chroy Changvar bridge. On the morning of March 17, Seyha was nabbed on Keo Chenda street in Chroy Changvar commune, while he was on his way to pick up his pay-off.