South Korea repatriates 73 suspects from Cambodia over US$33 million online scam allegations

South Korea has repatriated 73 South Korean suspects from Cambodia over alleged involvement in extensive online scam operations, according to officials. The group includes 65 men and eight women suspected of defrauding hundreds of victims of tens of millions of US dollars.

The suspects arrived at Incheon International Airport on 23 January 2026 aboard a chartered flight. It marked the largest single group of suspected online scammers returned to South Korea to date, officials said.

Footage broadcast by South Korean television networks showed the suspects wearing face masks, many dressed in shorts and sandals.

They were escorted by police officers from the aircraft to a waiting bus at the airport.

According to police, 70 of the suspects face charges linked to online scams, including romance scams and so-called investment “leading room” schemes. The remaining three are accused of crimes including hostage robbery and illegal gambling.

“It’s a big mistake if you think you can evade punishment by committing crimes outside the country,” a senior police official said during a briefing at the airport. The official added that authorities would pursue crimes harming South Korean citizens “to the end”.

A foreign ministry official said South Korea would continue working closely with Cambodia until transnational scam crimes were eradicated. The repatriation followed a joint investigation between the two countries, officials said.

Kang Yu-jung, spokesperson for the presidential office, said investigators had uncovered seven scam centres operating in Cambodia. The suspects are accused of defrauding 869 South Koreans of about 49 billion won, equivalent to roughly US$33 million, through online schemes.

The scams allegedly targeted victims through dating applications, social media platforms and messaging services. Investigators said victims were persuaded to transfer money after being promised romantic relationships or high investment returns.

Among those repatriated is a couple accused of orchestrating romance scams using altered appearances and false identities. According to the presidential office, the pair used deepfake technology to disguise their identities while approaching victims online.

Officials gave differing figures regarding the scale of the couple’s alleged crimes. Kang said the couple extorted about 12 billion won from 104 victims, while other authorities cited a figure of 1.2 billion won. Both amounts relate to alleged romance scam activities.

The suspects were identified as Mr Kang, aged 32, and Ms Ahn, aged 29. Investigators allege they contacted victims through dating applications and suggested they “study investments together” before persuading them to transfer funds.

Authorities said the couple underwent plastic surgery, including eye and nose procedures, in an attempt to avoid identification by police. Investigators believe the surgeries were carried out while the suspects were evading capture in Cambodia.

The couple were first arrested by Cambodian police in February 2025, according to South Korean officials. They were released around four months later after another criminal group allegedly bribed local authorities, officials said.

Upon learning of their release, South Korea’s Ministry of Justice dispatched personnel to Cambodia to work with local police. The couple were subsequently re-arrested through joint efforts, officials said.

Repatriation was delayed after Cambodian authorities refused extradition while seeking the return of anti-government figures believed to be residing in South Korea. Officials said the suspects were returned only after Cambodia recently agreed to proceed with the handover.

Another suspect is accused of defrauding retirees and entry-level employees of about 19.4 billion won by posing as a professional investor, according to the presidential office. Victims were allegedly persuaded to invest savings through fraudulent online platforms.

A source from the Ministry of Justice said authorities would seek to freeze and recover criminal proceeds believed to have been transferred to Cambodian crime networks. The effort will involve criminal judicial cooperation with Cambodian counterparts, the source said.

The case comes amid heightened concern over scam syndicates operating in parts of Southeast Asia.

South Korean authorities have increased cooperation with regional governments to dismantle networks targeting South Korean nationals.

In October 2025, South Korea repatriated 64 nationals over suspected scam involvement.

That operation followed the alleged murder of a South Korean university student who was tortured in Cambodia in August 2025 in a case linked to an employment scam.