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Authorities have confirmed that Cambodia arrested several South Koreans in an expanding cyber scam probe, while two others were rescued, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun announced on Monday. The arrests come shortly after dozens accused of involvement in online fraud schemes were repatriated to Seoul.
Cambodia has become a major base for a multibillion-dollar scam industry, where thousands are involved in fraudulent operations, some voluntarily and others under coercion by organized criminal groups.
Over the weekend, Cambodian officials deported 64 South Koreans suspected of participating in “pig butchering” scams, a method that involves gaining a victim’s trust before stealing their money.
Minister Cho said that 10 more South Koreans were arrested last Thursday and would be repatriated this week. Seoul is also working to locate around 80 nationals still missing in Cambodia.
Hundreds of South Koreans Missing in Cambodia
According to South Korea’s foreign ministry, around 550 South Koreans have been reported missing or detained against their will in Cambodia since last year. Officials estimate that roughly 1,000 South Koreans are among the 200,000 people working in online fraud operations across the country.
Seoul’s National Police Agency said it has sought arrest warrants for 59 of those repatriated over the weekend. The individuals are suspected of crimes such as voice phishing, romance scams, and “no-show” fraud.
Authorities said the group included both voluntary and coerced participants. The cyber scam probe has intensified following public outrage over the torture and killing of a South Korean student in Cambodia earlier this year, reportedly by a criminal ring.
Last week, South Korean officials met with Cambodia’s prime minister and police to discuss measures against fake job schemes and the growing network of scam centers in the region.
