The government’s ‘Transnational Crime Special Response Task Force’ has achieved a significant milestone by arresting 26 members of a scam syndicate in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. These criminals were impersonating national institutions and exploiting women, leading to their apprehension by Cambodian police.
The arrested syndicate operated from Phnom Penh, deceiving victims by impersonating prosecutors and financial regulators. They isolated victims in hotels, preventing external contact, and coerced them into self-confinement. Through fraudulent claims of asset investigations, they extorted approximately 26.7 billion KRW from 165 Korean nationals.
The criminals targeted numerous women residing in Korea, rendering them helpless through continuous deception. They not only extorted money but also forced victims to create and send sexually exploitative videos and photos, further aggravating their crimes.
This case highlights the evolution of scam crimes, which now exploit psychological vulnerabilities to create sexually exploitative content, devastating victims’ lives. The arrests were made possible by the ‘Korea Task Force’ in Cambodia and the National Intelligence Service, who identified the syndicate’s offices and residences, leading to a successful raid on January 5th.
The government plans to promptly block access to the exploitative videos and thoroughly investigate all criminal allegations. Efforts will be made to swiftly extradite the criminals to Korea for prosecution. Additionally, the Ministry of Justice’s Smile Center and other relevant agencies will collaborate to provide effective treatment and preventive measures for the victims.
Under President Lee Jae-myung’s directive, the government will continue to rigorously address transnational crimes, including digital sexual exploitation, ensuring that perpetrators face severe consequences for harming Korean citizens.