Mass Repatriation of 73 Suspects Confirmed Seventy‑three South Korean nationals detained in Cambodia will board a chartered flight that departs Incheon International Airport at 8:45 p.m. and returns at 9:10 a.m. on Friday, enabling immediate hand‑over to investigative authorities [3][4]. The suspects are accused of swindling 48.6 billion won from 869 victims through fake romance, investment and other online schemes [2][3][4]. Arrest warrants have been issued for all detainees, and they will face prosecution upon arrival [4].

Scam Operations Involved Deepfake Technology and Large Losses Among the group, a couple operated a deep‑fake romance scam that extracted roughly 12 billion won from about 100 victims, employing synthetic video and even plastic‑surgery alterations to evade detection [1][4]. Overall, the ring comprised 65 men and eight women , reflecting a coordinated organized‑crime network that leveraged advanced AI‑generated media to deceive targets [1]. Victims reported losses across multiple fraudulent investment schemes, underscoring the sophisticated nature of the operation [1].

Government Response Includes Stern Measures and Asset Confiscation President Lee Jae Myung ordered “stern measures” against transnational crimes targeting South Korean nationals, urging close cooperation with foreign governments to seize hidden proceeds [2]. He linked the crackdown to broader AI policy, calling for support to mitigate side effects of the AI Basic Act while protecting startups and venture firms [2]. South Korean authorities plan to confiscate criminal proceeds by tracking concealed assets, reinforcing a zero‑tolerance stance on cyber‑fraud [4][1].

Broader Regional Crackdown Leaves Hundreds Still Detained The repatriation follows a wider Cambodian crackdown that has detained about 260 South Koreans and previously sent ≈130 suspects back home since October [1]. More than 20 individuals from Laos, Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines have also been repatriated, yet roughly 60 South Koreans remain in Cambodian custody awaiting return [1]. Public outrage intensified after a Korean student’s death amid alleged torture at scam centers, prompting intensified diplomatic dialogue [1].