Why Are Police in South Korea Seeking Arrest Warrants for 59 Scam Suspects Repatriated from Cambodia?

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Why Are Police in South Korea Seeking Arrest Warrants for 59 Scam Suspects Repatriated from Cambodia?

Synopsis

In a significant crackdown, South Korean police are pursuing arrest warrants for 59 scam suspects recently returned from Cambodia. Allegations of their involvement in online fraud have sparked widespread concern. This incident sheds light on international crime networks and the ongoing battle against digital scams. Stay tuned for developments in this unfolding story.

Key Takeaways

  • 59 suspects sought for arrest by South Korea.
  • Repatriated from Cambodia amid online scam allegations.
  • Investigations focus on romance scams.
  • All suspects tested negative for drugs.
  • International cooperation is crucial in tackling cybercrime.

Seoul, Oct 20 (NationPress) The Police in South Korea announced on Monday that they have requested arrest warrants for 59 individuals who were repatriated from Cambodia due to their suspected involvement in multiple online fraud schemes.

A total of 64 individuals were brought back from Cambodia on Saturday, with one being apprehended immediately under an existing warrant.

Among the remaining 63, four were released shortly thereafter, while another was set free after the prosecution rejected the police's warrant request, according to the National Police Agency (NPA).

Regionally, 45 suspects are currently under the scrutiny of the NPA's office in South Chungcheong Province, while 15 are managed by the office in North Gyeonggi Province, including those already released, as reported by Yonhap news agency.

The four other suspects are being investigated by the offices in Daejeon, Gimpo, Wonju, and Seoul's Seodaemun.

The South Chungcheong office has been focusing on cases of romance and other scams that occurred from late last year to July, while the North Gyeonggi office is looking into romance scams that unfolded between March and April.

Following a notification from Cambodian authorities regarding their crackdown on local voice phishing call centers from July to September, and the detention of South Korean nationals linked to these scams, the NPA has identified the South Chungcheong and North Gyeonggi offices as the primary investigation units.

The police reported that several of the repatriated suspects claimed they had been detained and assaulted by members of scam operations in Cambodia.

All 64 individuals willingly underwent drug tests, which returned negative results, according to the police.

Point of View

This incident highlights the importance of international cooperation in combating cybercrime. The repatriation and subsequent investigations underscore the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in addressing the complexities of online scams that often cross borders. The commitment of South Korean authorities in pursuing justice demonstrates their dedication to protecting citizens from such criminal activities.
NationPress
20/10/2025

Frequently Asked Questions

What prompted the repatriation of the suspects from Cambodia?
The repatriation was prompted by a crackdown by Cambodian authorities on local voice phishing call centers, where South Korean nationals were suspected of involvement.
How many suspects were repatriated from Cambodia?
A total of 64 suspects were repatriated, with arrest warrants now sought for 59 of them.
What types of scams are the suspects allegedly involved in?
The suspects are alleged to be involved in various online scams, including romance scams.
What were the results of the drug tests conducted on the suspects?
All 64 suspects underwent drug tests, and the results came back negative.
How are the investigations being handled regionally?
Investigations are being handled by different regional police offices, with the majority managed by South Chungcheong and North Gyeonggi Province offices.
Nation Press