Taiwanese YouTubers get 2 years for Cambodia kidnapping stunt
A Cambodian court handed down a two-year prison sentence to two Taiwanese influencers on Thursday for incitement charges stemming from their staged and broadcasted fake kidnapping. Chen Neng Chuan, 31, known as Goodnight Chicken, and Lu Tsu Hsien, 34, who goes by Anow, were apprehended on Wednesday following the live-streaming of two videos on YouTube on Feb. 12 and Feb. 13. In these videos, Chen purported to have infiltrated a fraudulent compound, claiming to have been assaulted and unlawfully detained. The fabricated narrative garnered attention in Taiwan, where local media reported on the supposed abduction.
The Sihanoukville provincial court issued a statement declaring both men guilty, sentencing them to two years in prison and imposing a 4 million riel fine ($1,000). The court condemned their actions, stating they had traveled to Cambodia with the intent to fabricate videos depicting human trafficking, unlawful detention, torture, rape, and organ trafficking.
The swift legal proceedings followed a press conference on Feb. 15 led by Sihanoukville Provincial Governor Kuoch Chamroeun, who denounced the duo's conduct for tarnishing the province's reputation and damaging Cambodia's international standing.
According to the United Nations, an estimated 100,000 individuals across Cambodia have fallen victim to human trafficking syndicates, subjected to coercion, abuse, and exploitation, particularly in online scam operations. These scams, prevalent throughout Southeast Asia, have amassed substantial illicit proceeds, though precise figures are elusive. The majority of victims, both perpetrators and targets of scams, are Chinese nationals.
The pervasive narratives surrounding human trafficking have deterred Chinese tourists, a vital demographic for Cambodia's economy. In response, the Cambodian government has shifted blame onto the media, accusing them of perpetuating negative portrayals of the country.
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