Taiwan's "Cambodia Scam": Mastermind "Lando" Receives Life Sentence in Second Trial

The brutal case of the "Taiwanese Cambodia" job scam, which involved the imprisonment, torture, and death of victims, sees key figures receive harsh sentences.

The Taiwan High Court has upheld the life sentences for the masterminds behind the horrific "Taiwanese Cambodia" job scam, a case that shocked the nation in 2022. The case involved the kidnapping, torture, and death of multiple victims lured by fraudulent job offers.

The principal figure, identified as "Lando" Du Cheng-zhe, along with accomplices, was found guilty of orchestrating the imprisonment and abuse of 61 individuals. The victims were held captive, deprived of their possessions, and subjected to brutal treatment. Tragically, three of the victims lost their lives as a result of the abuse.

The first trial sentenced Du and three co-defendants to life imprisonment. The second trial, following an appeal, upheld the life sentences for Du, Xue Long-ting, and Hong Jun-jie. The court also stripped them of their civil rights for life. One other defendant, Wang Yu-jie, received a reduced sentence of 26 years.

The victims were held in cramped conditions, subjected to electric shocks, beaten, and forced to consume food laced with drugs. Tragically, one victim died by suicide, another died of electric shock and a third died due to lack of medical attention for a chronic illness, with their bodies subsequently discarded. The scam resulted in over NT$400 million (approx. USD 12.5 million) in fraudulent gains.

In a separate ruling, Fu Yu-lin, also known as "S Sister", and Chen Hua-wei, known as "Tea Chairman", key figures in the group, were sentenced to life imprisonment by the Supreme Court last year. The case highlights the severe consequences of job scams and the lengths to which criminals will go to exploit vulnerable individuals.