Cambodian Police arrests 57 South Koreans for cyberscams

The operation took place on Wednesday in Phnom Penh, where local police raided a building suspected of being involved in extensive scam activities. According to the commission, 29 Chinese nationals were also detained during the raid, and officials seized 126 computers and 30 mobile phones believed to have been used in the fraudulent activities.

Repatriations and regional cooperation

The arrests come after Cambodia’s recent repatriation of 64 South Korean nationals over the weekend. Those individuals had been detained for their alleged involvement in scams—schemes that lure victims through online relationships or trust-building before defrauding them of money.

Bilateral efforts to combat cybercrime

In response to the rising crisis, South Korean foreign ministry officials met last week with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and senior police leaders to strengthen cooperation against online scam networks. The discussions focused on dismantling fake job centres and fraudulent recruitment operations that lure foreigners into forced involvement in cybercrime.

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun announced on Monday that ten more suspects have been detained and two individuals rescued as part of ongoing joint operations. He highlighted that the effort demonstrates both countries’ commitment to combating transnational crime and safeguarding victims.

Widespread victimisation and expanding networks

According to South Korea’s foreign ministry, approximately 550 South Koreans have been reported missing or detained in Cambodia since last year. Seoul estimates that nearly 1,000 South Koreans are among the 200,000 individuals currently involved, either voluntarily or under coercion, in scam operations across Cambodia.

Experts say the cyber scam industry in Cambodia has grown into a multibillion-dollar enterprise, fueled by organised crime groups that exploit economic weaknesses and weak law enforcement in parts of Southeast Asia.