South Koreans return from Cambodia facing investigation over online scams

18/10/2025 12:32

A group of 64 South Koreans detained in Cambodia over alleged online scam operations returned home on Saturday with most expected to face investigation, South Korean authorities said.



Their return followed the alleged murder of a South Korean college student who was tortured in Cambodia in August in a case linked to an employment scam, according to South Korean media.



South Korea this week issued a "code-black" travel ban for parts of Cambodia and dispatched a team of high-level officials to help nationals lured into working in scam compounds and secure the release of those held against their will.



More than 1,000 South Koreans are believed to be among about 200,000 people of various nationalities involved in the scam compounds in Cambodia, South Korea's National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said on Wednesday.



South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Friday ordered an urgent removal of online illegal job advertisements - not only for Cambodia but also for Southeast Asia as a whole - to stem the flow of nationals being lured in the first place.