More than four days after Taiwanese fugitive Lin Ping-wen was shot dead in Sihanoukville, authorities have made no arrests and issued no public statement.
Lin, indicted in Taiwan in 2023 over his alleged role in the high-profile “88 Lounge” fraud and money laundering case, was gunned down late on Monday after being ambushed by multiple attackers outside his residence, Taiwan’s Criminal Investigation Bureau said.
After his indictment, Lin fled overseas, with investigators tracing his movements from Los Angeles to Cambodia. Taiwanese media reported he was believed to be involved in casino and hotel investments in Sihanoukville.
Government records show Lin was granted Cambodian citizenship in 2019. The country’s naturalization process has faced scrutiny in recent years amid links between some new citizens and alleged scam operations and money laundering.
Local authorities have disclosed few details about the killing. Officials at commune, city and provincial levels confirmed the case remains under investigation but declined to provide further information.
“I [did not] catch the information, only the police [did] because it was 8:00PM,” said Chhit Sophat, chief of Mouy Commune, where the shooting was reported.
Commune police chief Som Kiravuth said the killing occurred between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. near the Cambrew Beer Factory, adding that the motive remained unclear.
City police chief Tey Visal said no suspects had been arrested and referred inquiries to provincial police.
The deputy provincial police chief in charge of serious crimes, Nop Panha, declined to comment, citing the ongoing investigation.
Several residents living near the factory said they did not hear gunfire or know of the incident that night.
Interior Ministry spokesperson Touch Sokhak did not respond to requests for comment.
Taiwan News reported authorities were examining whether the killing was linked to financial disputes, money laundering or business conflicts.
