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Two Cambodians who represented Huione Pay customers were detained for questioning at a police station, while two Chinese customers sustained injuries during a confrontation with authorities on Monday. The incident occurred as customers sought central bank National Bank of Cambodia’s (NBC) intervention to help recover their money from now-defunct Huione Pay.
The clash took place near the bank headquarters where customers had gathered for the fourth time after failing to obtain a satisfactory resolution.
Tensions escalated when the customers attempted to walk to the bank but were blocked by a group of men in security guard uniforms. A confrontation ensued, leaving two Chinese men with head injuries and a few more likely to be hurt. The two men were sent to a nearby hospital.
Videos circulating online showed the Cambodian representatives being taken away by force on motorcycles by men in civilian clothing, while another individual was pushed into a police car.
They were said to have been first sent to the Sen Sok District Police Station.
A woman, who requested anonymity due to security concerns, told CamboJA News that they gathered to seek intervention from government leaders to recover their legally-earned money from Huione Pay and not to protest or block the road, as they are now facing huge financial difficulties.
“They said the money is illegal, but I did not know it was illegal,” she said. “We had to borrow money. Many people are on the brink of suicide. It is very hard.”
“I do not have money to repay my debts. I pawned my house and land. I am only asking for access to the [Huione Pay] app. All my money was earned from my construction work.”
She said she has $100,000 in her Huione Pay account but can no longer access the app. Since losing access to her funds in December 2025, she has had to put her property up at a pawnshop to pay 200 workers. She still owes another 50 workers their wages and cannot afford to pay them currently.
“I believe the leaders will not abandon us,” she added.
In the previous gathering, NBC agreed to meet with 10 representatives from Huione Pay and H-Pay customers – five Cambodian and five Chinese.
However, NBC maintained that Huione Pay customers would not be able to recover their funds following the revocation of the company’s license, noting that responsibility to resolve the issue lies with the operator. The central bank reiterated that cryptocurrency-related activities are illegal.
As for H-Pay customers, NBC directed them to Reachs & Partners, which has been appointed as liquidator after the rebranded operator’s license was revoked on April 10.
Kuoch Sophea, Deputy Police Chief of Sen Sok District, confirmed with CamboJA News that the two Cambodian individuals were sent to the Sen Sok District Police Headquarters.
He declined to provide further details about the case, only that they have been transferred to the Phnom Penh Municipal Police Station for questioning around 11:00 a.m.
Phnom Penh Municipal police chief Chuon Narin, Phnom Penh Municipal Police spokesperson Sam Vichheka, and Chea Serey, NBC governor did not respond to CamboJA News.
