Twelve men, all Taiwanese nationals, were arrested in Phnom Penh yesterday, accused of using voice over internet protocol (VOIP) technology to extort money from victims in China and Taiwan, police said.

Major General Y Sok Khy, chief of the Ministry of Interior’s anti-terrorism police department, said the group was arrested after a monthlong investigation.

“These men were members of a group of Chinese and Taiwanese kidnappers who hid in Cambodia, threatening people and extorting money,” he said, adding that the suspects were arrested in Tuol Kork district’s Boeung Kak I commune.

Police confiscated a number of VOIP telephones, mobile phones and related items.

“They’re now being detained for questioning and further investigation,” he said. “They will be sent to the court for charges once we have finished questioning them on Wednesday or Thursday.”

The suspects could not be reached for comment.