Cambodia-Korea Police Collaborate to Crack Down on 15 Online Scam Cases, Detain 179 Korean Nationals

Cambodian and South Korean police forces have intensified their cooperation in cracking down on online scams, successfully dismantling 15 criminal operations and apprehending 179 South Korean nationals. This collaborative effort was facilitated through the exchange of information and joint operations between the police authorities of both nations. According to Mr. Touch Sokha, Deputy Spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior, the crackdown was a result of cooperation between the General Commissariat of National Police and the Korean National Police Agency. The aim was to prevent, suppress, and dismantle transnational crimes, particularly online scams. Of the 15 operations, 8 were conducted in the capital city of Phnom Penh, 4 in Preah Sihanouk province, and one each in the provinces of Mondulkiri, Banteay Meanchey, and Battambang. The suspects employed various methods to defraud and extract benefits from victims, primarily by impersonating banks, companies, or other institutions to steal sensitive information such as passwords, bank card numbers, and codes via email, SMS, and social media. In addition to these tactics, the scams also included investment fraud promising high returns in a short period, online romance scams, the sale of counterfeit goods, fake job advertisements requiring upfront payment, and scams where victims were falsely informed they had won prizes. Some scammers also impersonated government officials, police officers, bank employees, or relatives to persuade victims into transferring money or divulging confidential information. Mr. Touch Sokha stated that the Korean side, including the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Cambodia, highly valued the efforts of the Cambodian law enforcement. He added that these ongoing crackdowns have contributed to the Korean side's review of advisories concerning the risks of online scams for Korean citizens traveling to Cambodia. Cambodia and South Korea are committed to further strengthening their cooperation, as technological scams are transnational crimes that continuously evolve with new technologies and tactics. He emphasized that international cooperation in combating online scams should prioritize citizen protection and crime eradication, rather than being used as a tool to impose conditions or attack any state for self-serving interests. Source: CEN Cambodia