Cambodian Police Arrest 57 South Koreans in Online Scam Raid

Cambodian police arrested 57 South Korean nationals on March 13, 2024, during a raid on a suspected online scam organization in the outskirts of Phnom Penh. The operation, which took place on Wednesday, also led to the apprehension of 29 Chinese nationals, bringing the total number of individuals found working at the complex to 86. The raid was conducted in conjunction with a visit from a group of South Korean lawmakers, led by Kim Seok-ki, who were in Cambodia to investigate reports of employment scams and allegations of illegal confinement and torture.

This incident follows a growing pattern of criminal activity linked to online scams operating in Southeast Asia, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week, approximately 50 South Koreans were repatriated after being arrested for their involvement with similar scam organizations, raising concerns about the safety of South Korean nationals in Cambodia. The repatriated individuals are part of a larger group of 64 South Koreans detained in recent months, many of whom are now under investigation to determine whether they willingly participated in these fraudulent activities or were coerced.

The recent arrests are alarming given the context of a tragic incident involving a South Korean student who reportedly lost his life while forced to work in a scam center in Cambodia. His death sparked significant public outrage in South Korea, prompting the government to send a delegation to Phnom Penh to discuss a coordinated response to the issue.

Details of the Raid and Ongoing Investigations

During the raid, Cambodian police seized crucial evidence, including 126 laptops and 30 mobile phones. According to a statement from Cambodia’s Secretariat of the Commission for Combating Online Scams, authorities believe that the South Korean nationals working at the scam center did so voluntarily, without any indication of force or intimidation. This assertion was shared with the visiting South Korean parliamentary delegation as part of ongoing diplomatic discussions.

The Korean National Police Agency reported that local courts have issued arrest warrants for 49 of the 64 returnees. Investigations continue to determine the extent of their involvement in online fraud schemes, which have reportedly targeted fellow South Koreans through methods such as romantic scams and voice phishing. The agency stated that a court is scheduled to review the cases of an additional ten individuals.

Over the past four months, Cambodian authorities have intensified their efforts to combat online scams, resulting in the raids of 92 locations across 18 provinces. Authorities have arrested a total of 3,455 individuals from various nationalities, most of whom were identified as victims. Among those arrested, 75 individuals believed to be orchestrating the scams have been formally charged in a Cambodian court.

As the situation continues to evolve, the Cambodian government faces mounting pressure to address the safety and welfare of foreign nationals working within its borders, particularly in the context of rising online scams that exploit vulnerable individuals. The ongoing collaboration between South Korean and Cambodian authorities highlights the international implications of these criminal networks and the urgent need for effective responses to protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable.