South Korea’s presidential office announced on Tuesday that 73 South Korean nationals detained in Cambodia for alleged involvement in large-scale fraud operations will be forcibly deported to face investigation at home. The move marks the largest collective deportation since South Korea and Cambodia began joint law enforcement cooperation against transnational crime. According to presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung, a chartered flight has been arranged to transport the suspects from Cambodia back to South Korea. Upon arrival, the individuals will be immediately handed over to judicial authorities for further investigation and legal proceedings. Authorities said the suspects were arrested by a joint South Korea–Cambodia task force and are accused of orchestrating organized scam operations that targeted 869 South Korean victims. The total amount involved is estimated at 486.7 billion won, equivalent to approximately $331 million. The operation involved close cooperation between South Korean police, Cambodian law enforcement agencies, and South Korea’s national intelligence services. Investigators revealed that raids were carried out in December 2025 at multiple scam centers located in Sihanoukville, Poipet, and Mondulkiri. All suspects are now subject to arrest warrants issued by South Korean courts. The criminal group is believed to have engaged in romance scams and fake investment schemes, with some members allegedly using deepfake technology and other methods to evade law enforcement. South Korean officials stated that efforts will continue to recover illicit proceeds and trace assets that may have been concealed or transferred overseas. Post navigation Hun Manet Chairs Meeting to Plan Next Phase of Anti–Online Scam Operations Hun Sen Calls on Impostors Claiming to Be His Deceased Son to Stop Exploiting His Past Pain
