Online Casino Threatens to Cut Off Worker’s Fingers in Kidnap Case

A news agency has reported a Thai woman was being held against her will by a quartet of Malaysian online casino operators. The foursome claimed that their worker had spent casino funds unlawfully and were threatening to cut off her fingers unless a family member repaid the debt.

The alleged incident took place in Cambodia in the Sihanoukville province which is where the online casino firm is believed to be located. This is the latest in a string of kidnappings and accusations of violence which have dogged the Asia-Pacific betting industry.

Accused of pilfering money 

The woman at the centre of the hostage accusations is reported to be a 24-year-old Thai woman working in an online casino in Phnom Penh. The four Malaysian owners accused her of misappropriating funds from the casino for her own personal use, with an alleged value of THB150k (approximately US $5000).

Rather than turning the suspect over to the police, the four men held the woman against her will and demanded repayment. The worker was told that if she was unable to pay, and did not have a family member to repay the debt on her behalf, her fingers would be cut off as punishment.

The alarm was raised when the husband of the worker reported the case to local police in Thailand on 15 October. The Thai police then liaised with Cambodian police who were able to track the Malaysian men to the casino’s headquarters in Phnom Penh.

The female worker was handed over to the Thai police unharmed while the Malaysian men were held in Cambodia where they are currently facing opening charges.

String of similar events

The latest kidnapping is just the latest in a string of individuals who have been held against their will due to various alleged casino allegations in Cambodia.

Just a few days ago, five Chinese nationals were arrested in Sihanoukville. Working as loan sharks, the five men had lent money to a fellow Chinese national to play at the local casino. Unable to repay the debt, he was captured, beaten and extortion used to threaten his family – who were living in Cambodia – for the cash. The man remains in hospital.

In another case in Bavet City, two men are facing up to five years in jail for unlawfully holding and torturing two Chinese nationals over gambling debts. Working with three other men who escaped capture, the suspects extorted money from the family in China.

The offences come after Cambodia announced it would not issue any new licences for gambling, and would not be renewing the current licences when they expire. Other Asian-Pacific nations such as China have welcomed the news.