Chartered Flight Returns 73 Suspects Friday South Korea will dispatch a chartered aircraft from Incheon International Airport at 8:45 p.m., landing back at 9:10 a.m. the next morning, to bring 73 detained nationals—65 men and eight women—home for investigation [1][2][3]. The operation follows a joint investigation by South Korean and Cambodian authorities that captured the group in December [2][3]. Upon arrival, the suspects will be handed to investigative authorities for immediate questioning [1][3].

Alleged Losses Total 48.6 Billion Won From 869 Victims The detainees are accused of siphoning roughly 48.6 billion won from 869 South Korean victims through fake romance and investment schemes [1][2][3]. Approximately 100 victims lost about 12 billion won in a deep‑fake romance scam run by a couple among the group [1]. Victims reported being lured by fabricated investment opportunities and manipulated by synthetic‑media videos and plastic‑surgery‑altered appearances [3].

Joint Investigation Team Conducted December Raids Across Cambodia joint investigation team raided seven scam compounds in Sihanoukville, Poipet, and Mondulkiri Province in December, uncovering organized networks that employed deep‑fake technology [2][3]. Arrest warrants were issued for all 73 suspects, and the operation marked the largest repatriation of criminal suspects after a coordinated South Korean‑Cambodian police effort [3]. The raids prompted Cambodia to detain about 260 South Koreans, with roughly 60 still awaiting return [1].

South Korean Government Plans Asset Confiscation and Strong Cybercrime Response President Lee Jae Myung called for a stern stance against transnational cybercrime, emphasizing its impact on mutual trust and diplomatic relations [1]. The government announced plans to trace and confiscate proceeds from the scams, targeting concealed assets of the suspects [3]. Ongoing dialogue between the two governments includes more than ten video meetings and a delegation visit in October to coordinate the cross‑border response [1].