A 38-YEAR-OLD Cambodian man has been arrested for allegedly operating an illegal online lending scheme that required borrowers to submit nude photos and videos as collateral, which were later allegedly used for extortion.
Cambodia’s Anti-Cybercrime Department said today that the suspect, identified by the initials B.B.N., faces charges related to illegal lending, intimidation and the distribution of pornographic material through social media.
The Phnom Penh Post cited police saying the suspect operated using a Facebook account named “Bunna FC” and a Telegram account called “Bun Na”, offering loans at exorbitant interest rates.
However, borrowers were allegedly required to send nude photographs and videos of themselves before the loans were released.
Authorities said the suspect would allegedly threaten borrowers through messaging applications when they were unable to keep up with the high interest payments.
In one case, the suspect allegedly carried out his threats by publishing a victim’s nude images publicly on Facebook.
The suspect has since been referred to the municipal court for legal proceedings.
Although his Facebook profile indicates that he is based in Battambang province, authorities have not disclosed the amounts involved or the interest rates allegedly charged.
Online lending outside formal financial institutions is prohibited in Cambodia, with the National Bank of Cambodia and National Police previously warning that illegal operators would face enforcement action.
Under regulations governing private lending, the legal interest rate is capped at 18% per annum, or 1.5% per month.
Despite repeated warnings, illegal online lending operations continue to operate through social media and messaging platforms.
Ministry of Interior spokesperson Touch Sokhak urged victims of illegal lenders, particularly those subjected to threats or defamation, to report the cases to authorities.
“Victims should report these cases to the police or file a lawsuit with the court so that the authorities can take the necessary legal measures,” he said. - September 1, 2026
