Coordinated raid detains 26 South Koreans in Mondulkiri The operation took place on Dec 18, 2025 at a scam center near the Vietnam border in Cambodia’s Mondulkiri province, involving 40 Cambodian police and four South Korean officers who arrested 26 South Korean nationals suspected of running voice‑phishing schemes [1]. The detainees were taken into custody after authorities seized computers, cash, and forged documents used in the fraud network [1]. Officials described the site as a “well‑organized” hub that targeted victims in South Korea and other countries [1].

Rescued man found tortured and confined Among those seized, a man in his 20s was discovered locked in a small room, showing signs of physical abuse; he was rescued and received medical treatment [1]. Police reported the victim had been lured to the center under false pretenses before being forced to work under duress [1]. The rescue highlighted the harsh conditions endured by some workers at transnational scam facilities [1].

Operation follows August student death prompting crackdown The raid follows the August 2025 death of a Korean university student who was tortured after being recruited to the same type of scam operation, which spurred Seoul to intensify anti‑scam measures abroad [1]. South Korean authorities have since increased cooperation with Cambodian law‑enforcement to dismantle cross‑border fraud rings [1]. The joint effort reflects a broader regional push to curb organized online crime [1].

Monthly tally reaches 92 suspects, two rescued Koreans Since the start of the month, the Seoul‑Phnom Penh task force has apprehended a total of 92 individuals linked to scam activities and rescued two Korean victims [1]. The latest raid contributed significantly to that count, underscoring the sustained pace of operations [1]. Officials indicated that investigations remain ongoing to identify additional perpetrators [1].

South Korean NPA vows intensified cross‑border crackdown senior official from South Korea’s National Police Agency pledged to deepen collaboration with Cambodian counterparts, aiming to expand joint raids and intelligence sharing [1]. The statement emphasized the need for “continuous pressure” on organized crime networks operating across borders [1]. The agency plans to allocate more resources to overseas anti‑scam missions [1].

President Lee praises officers and pledges broader cooperation President Lee Jae Myung publicly commended the officers involved in the raid, describing their work as “dangerous yet essential” [1]. He announced plans to strengthen diplomatic and law‑enforcement ties with Cambodia and other regional partners to eradicate online fraud [1]. The presidential endorsement signals high‑level political support for ongoing anti‑scam initiatives [1].