South Korea extradites 73 online fraud suspects from Cambodia

73 South Korean nationals, accused of defrauding their compatriots of 33 million USD, were extradited from Cambodia back to South Korea today.

The group, comprising 65 men and 8 women, arrived at Incheon airport, South Korea, on 23/1 via a chartered plane. They were immediately taken to a police station, masked and handcuffed, and escorted onto buses by police officers.

This mass extradition follows growing public outrage in South Korea over online fraud centers operating in Southeast Asia. Last year, a South Korean student was found dead in Cambodia, reportedly tortured after being forced to work in a complex believed to be a base for online fraud organizations. South Korean officials estimated in 10/2025 that about 1,000 South Koreans were in these fraud centers in Cambodia, with some coerced into forced labor. On 22/1, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung called for strict penalties against transnational cybercrime, highlighting its role in eroding social trust and causing diplomatic issues.

The 73 suspects are part of a larger group of approximately 260 South Koreans arrested in Cambodia in recent months. The total amount defrauded by this group reached 48,6 billion won (33 million USD). Among them was a couple accused of running a romance scam using deepfake technology, swindling 12 billion won (8,2 million USD) from 100 victims. This marks a significant step in ongoing efforts. Since 10/2025, about 130 South Korean fraud suspects in Cambodia have been extradited. Following the 23/1 repatriation, approximately 60 South Koreans remain detained in Cambodia awaiting extradition.

The South Korean Ministry of Justice stated it took extensive measures to facilitate the extradition, including over 10 rounds of online meetings with Cambodian officials. Yoo Byung-seok, a senior official from the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, thanked the Cambodian government for this repatriation. He expressed South Korea's hope for continued close bilateral cooperation to dismantle online fraud operations targeting South Koreans from Cambodia.

"We will pursue all those involved and ensure they face appropriate consequences," senior police officer Yoo Seung Ryul said during a live-streamed press conference at the airport.