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PHNOM PENH – In a stark turn of events, Cambodian influencer Oeun Molika, known for her ostentatious online displays of luxury, has been sentenced to prison.
The once-celebrated online personality frequently showcased her wealth, with snapshots of US$100 (RM468.55) bills and expensive cars flooding her social media.
According to a report in the Khmer Times, the Phnom Penh municipal court yesterday sentenced Molika to 18 months in prison and was ordered to pay US$6,500 in compensation.
In addition, she was sentenced to a further 2 years of jail and required to pay US$300,000 in compensation.
The sentences were handed down after she was previously charged with “non-performance of obligations on traded instruments” under the Law on Traded Instruments and Transaction Payments.
The gravity of her actions became evident when Molika confessed to embezzling millions through a “tontine” scheme.
This system, which involves pooling money from individuals and subsequently providing dividends based on the returns from investments made with this collective money, ultimately led to her downfall.
The Times’ report said that prior to this, the investigating judge of the Phnom Penh municipal court had detained the 27-year-old on similar charges, notably involving the issuance of cashless cheques amounting to at least US$365,000.
Molika’s spectacular fall from grace was sparked by her bankruptcy declaration in November.
In a statement, she claimed: “I went bankrupt and did not cheat anyone.”
“If you do not believe me, you can come and check my bank account and see what I have left, what I have lost now…I am also a victim,” she said.
Moreover, she confessed to having been “negligent” in managing her finances.
Molika, who once revelled in the limelight, showcasing her wealth and indulgent lifestyle on social media platforms, now faces a drastically different future behind bars. – The Vibes, September 20, 2023