They were sentenced to two years in prison and fined 4 million riel (Rs 82,988)
Two Taiwanese influencers were sentenced to two years in prison after faking a kidnapping case in Cambodia, British Broadcasting Corporation the report said. Chen Neng Chuan, 31, and Lu Tsu Hsien, 34, were arrested Wednesday after live-streaming two videos on YouTube that staged a forced abduction and escape.
Notably, Chen Nengquan, known for his paranormal videos produced in Taiwan, teased on Instagram in early February that he would be exploring the “dark corners” of Cambodia, known for its notorious gang that kidnaps foreigners.
On the evening of February 12, Chen started a live broadcast, claiming that he and his friends broke into a fraud compound in Sihanoukville, Sihanoukville Province, Cambodia. He later claimed in the video that they were detained and beaten by security before the live broadcast was abruptly cut off. Later, Chen’s wife also posted on social media that her husband was missing.
#historicalstreaming
A Taiwanese anchor who pretended to be kidnapped during a live broadcast has been arrested in Cambodia.Chen Nengquan claimed to be escaping from kidnapping and presented fabricated torn clothes and injuries. He was detained in Cambodia… pic.twitter.com/F8rn8toWZv
— Linde (@00Linde) February 14, 2024
The next day, he resurfaced via another live video and said he had escaped the dangerous clutches of his kidnappers.
However, many on social media were skeptical and found some holes in the story.
Internet influencer Liu Yu reportedly played a key role in exposing the fake kidnapping, using videos posted by Chen to pinpoint Chen’s location and show the discrepancies in their stories. straits times. Other inconsistencies, such as ignoring nearby help and possessing filming equipment despite missing valuables, raised further suspicions.
They were exposed for planning the entire event and were later arrested from their hotel by Cambodian police. The police also found that they had masks, military uniforms, fake guns, fake blood and other equipment used in fake kidnappings.
According to a statement from the Sihanoukville Provincial Court, both men were sentenced to two years in prison and fined 4 million riel (Rs 82,988). The court found them guilty of “inciting to disturb public order.” during Thursday’s trial.
“Two men entered Cambodia with the intention of making defamatory videos about human trafficking, torture and detention, rape and the sale of human organs,” the Sihanoukville Provincial Court said in a statement.
The two knelt down at the press conference and begged for another chance, but Governor Guo Zhanrong said their behavior was a serious matter that could not be solved with a slap.
“If we forgive them, more people will make up similar lies to smear Cambodia’s image,” the provincial governor said.
