South Korea Receives 73 Cambodian‑Detained Suspects in Largest Online‑Scam Repatriation
Updated (5 articles)
Chartered Korean Air flight brings back 73 suspects A Korean Air charter landed at Incheon International Airport early Friday, delivering 73 South Korean nationals who had been detained in Cambodia after a joint police raid; the transfer marks the nation’s biggest single‑country repatriation of criminal suspects to date[1][2].
Alleged fraud totals 48.6 billion won from 869 victims Authorities say the group swindled roughly 48.6 billion won (about US$33 million) from 869 Korean victims through romance, investment and gambling scams, including a deep‑fake couple who alone extracted 12 billion won from 104 people[1][3].
Custody secured and detention extensions planned Upon arrival the suspects were placed under court‑issued custody and handed to local police stations; prosecutors intend to file warrants to prolong detention while investigations continue nationwide[1][2].
Seven scam compounds raided across Cambodia The December operation targeted seven sites in Sihanoukville, Poipet and Mondulkiri, involving the National Police Agency, the Justice Ministry, the National Intelligence Service and the Foreign Ministry; men in their 20s were rescued from detention and torture at the compounds[1][4].
Deep‑fake tech and plastic‑surgery evasion highlighted investigators noted that the romance‑scam couple used AI‑generated deep‑fake videos and later underwent plastic surgery to avoid identification, illustrating the sophisticated methods employed by the transnational network[1][5].
Sources (5 articles)
-
[1]
Yonhap, 73 suspects repatriated from Cambodia to face probes for online scam crimes: details the chartered flight, the scale of the repatriation, victim count, and the mix of romance, hostage‑robbery and deep‑fake fraud charges.
-
[2]
Yonhap, 73 South Koreans detained in Cambodia repatriated to face probes: emphasizes the 48.6 billion‑won loss, custody procedures, and mentions a minor sexual crime among the allegations.
-
[3]
Yonhap, 73 South Koreans repatriated from Cambodia to face probes: repeats core facts, adds that some suspects fled after sexual crimes and hostage‑taking, and notes the deep‑fake couple’s evasion tactics.
-
[4]
Yonhap, 73 South Koreans detained in Cambodia return home to face probes: provides arrival time, the US‑dollar conversion of losses, and includes a photo of detainees to illustrate the transnational‑crime task force.
-
[5]
Yonhap, 73 South Korean nationals detained in Cambodia to be forcibly repatriated for investigation: announces the forced return, outlines arrest‑warrant issuance, and stresses the government’s plan to confiscate proceeds and track concealed assets.
Timeline
December 2025 – South Korean and Cambodian authorities conduct joint raids on seven scam compounds in Sihanoukville, Poipet and Mondulkiri, detaining suspects and rescuing men in their 20s who had been tortured; the operation creates the foundation for the largest‑ever repatriation of Korean fraud suspects. [4][5]
Jan 22, 2026 – Cheong Wa Dae announces that 73 South Korean nationals detained in Cambodia will be forcibly returned on a Korean Air charter, with arrest warrants issued for all and a government plan to confiscate the proceeds of the scams that stole 48.6 billion won. [5]
Jan 23, 2026 (morning) – A Korean Air charter lands at Incheon International Airport at 9:41 a.m., marking South Korea’s largest single‑country repatriation of criminal suspects; the returnees are placed under custody and transferred to local police stations for further questioning. [4]
Jan 23, 2026 (afternoon) – Authorities confirm the suspects are accused of defrauding 869 victims of a total 48.6 billion won (≈US$33 million) through romance scams, deep‑fake fraud, hostage‑robbery and gambling; a couple alone swindles 12 billion won from 104 people after undergoing plastic surgery to evade capture. [1][2][3]
Jan 23, 2026 (later) – Prosecutors seek court warrants to extend detention of the returnees, while the National Police Agency, Justice Ministry, National Intelligence Service and Foreign Ministry coordinate the investigation, underscoring a multi‑agency crackdown on transnational cybercrime. [1][2][3]