A businessman was arrested on Sunday in Stung Treng province for allegedly issuing a bad cheque for $200,000 to another businessman in 2016.

Long Vichetr, an officer with Siem Reap military police, identified the suspect as Eng Panharith, 38, a clothes vendor from Siem Reap city.

He had been in hiding for his crime since 2016 along the Cambodian-Laos border, where he was arrested.

“He was arrested by military police in accordance with a warrant for his arrest issued by the investigating judge of Siem Reap Provincial Court,” Mr Vichetr said.

“He was charged in absentia for issuing a fake cheque.”

In October 2016, Mr Panharith purchased a plot of land worth $250,000 from the plaintiff in Siem Reap.

He paid $50,000 in cash and issued the $200,000 cheque, but the plaintiff soon realised there was no money in Mr Panharith’s bank account.

The plaintiff later filed a lawsuit against him in January 2017, leading to the legal proceedings.

Mr Panharith has been transferred to Siem Reap province for questioning.

• Tags: bad cheque, businessman, Eng Panharith, Long Vichetr, Stung Treng province