Japanese Investor Konu Kakada stands trial for defrauding Cambodian business partners


Buth Reaksmey Kongkea

A Japanese investor who allegedly embezzled nearly $1million from his two Cambodian business partners stood trial at Phnom Penh Municipal Court yesterday.

The Cambodians invested their money​ with the condo/ apartment construction projects of the accused's real estate company in exchange for high interest rates between 2018 and 2020. 

Judge Pichr Vicheathor said that the accused was identified as Kuno Kakaka, 70, the Cambodian-Japanese citizen, living in Phnom Penh’s Prampei Makara.

He said that Kuno was arrested by penal police in the Ministry of Interior on July 16, 2020.

The two Cambodian plaintiffs were identified as Un Phanarong and Kim Rany, both are land brokers living in Phnom Penh.

He said that Kuno Kakada was charged with three counts on “Breach of Trust and Escape” under Articles 391, 392, 560, and 561 of the Criminal Code, and “Issuing the Dud Cheque” under Article of 231 of the Law on Negotiable Instrument and Payment Transactions.

Phanarong sued Kuno for a total of $1,389,850 in principal and interest and another $ 200,000 in compensation in the first case, while Rany claimed a total of $ 93,000 (his principal) and $ 200,000 in compensation from Konu.

Kuno who had been convicted by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court to from one to four years in prison with four separate criminal cases in 2020. 

While serving his sentence in the prison, Konu became sick and sent to Khmer-Soviet-Hospital for treatment. But he fled from the hospital’s room while the prison guards were sleepy.

Kuno was later re-arrested on January 10, 2022 and sent to the jail again. 

At yesterday’s hearing, Kuno, who presented at the courtroom, denied all s allegations. 

A verdict is due September 28.

 


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