South Korea Cracks Down on $33 Million Online Scam Ring with Historic Repatriation
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In a major crackdown on transnational cybercrime, South Korea has brought back 73 suspects from Cambodia in connection with an online scam that allegedly swindled over 800 Koreans out of $33 million. The suspects, who were repatriated on Friday, are accused of operating seven scam centers in Cambodia where they used various tactics, including deepfake technology, to deceive their victims. One couple, in particular, is believed to have used romance scams to extort 12 billion won from 104 South Koreans, while another suspect allegedly convinced retirees and entry-level employees to invest with him, netting 19.4 billion won. The repatriation comes after a joint investigation with Cambodian authorities, and South Korea's foreign ministry has vowed to continue working together to combat transnational scam crimes. The move is seen as a significant step towards bringing to justice those who harm Korean citizens, with a South Korean police official warning that 'crime knows no borders' and those who commit crimes abroad will be held accountable. This repatriation marks the largest group of suspects to be brought back to South Korea so far, following a similar operation in October that saw 64 South Koreans returned home. The case highlights the ongoing threat of online scams and the need for international cooperation to combat them.
