On the evening of 4/12, Da Nang Police, in coordination with the Foreign Relations Department (Ministry of Public Security), completed procedures to hand over three internationally wanted Korean suspects to South Korean authorities. The suspects were identified as Choi Minsu, 26, Choi Jinwoo, 25, and Seo Jaeseok, 28. All three were subject to an Interpol red notice issued at South Korea's request for crimes including fraud, organized crime, and human trafficking. The South Korean side extradited the three suspects back to their country the same night.
According to South Korean authorities, the three suspects operated an online romance scam ring from the Bavet complex, located near the Cambodia-Vietnam border.
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three Korean suspects arrested in Da Nang. Photo: Bao Nam |
three Korean suspects arrested in Da Nang. Photo: Bao Nam
The group used deepfake software to impersonate women and approach men, building trust before luring them into "paid travel missions" with promises of sponsored accommodation, airfare, and refunds upon completion. Once victims believed them, the group transported them to Vietnam or Thailand before moving them to Cambodia.
In Cambodia, victims had their passports confiscated, were detained, and forced to learn "scam scripts" to participate in online fraud activities. According to case files, the group defrauded victims of approximately 1 million USD between August and December 2024.
In mid-October 2025, Da Nang Police received intelligence that these three Interpol-wanted suspects had fled Cambodia to Vietnam and were hiding in Da Nang. The Immigration Management Department identified the group residing at a hotel in An Hai ward. On 28/10, reconnaissance forces, in coordination with mobile police and An Hai ward police, organized an ambush and arrested them.
According to South Korean authorities, for the aforementioned actions, the three suspects could face sentences up to life imprisonment.
By Ngoc Truong
