Joint Korean‑Cambodian raid captures 26 suspects in Phnom Penh A coordinated task force of South Korean police, the National Intelligence Service and Cambodian authorities raided offices and residences on Jan 5, detaining 26 members of a sexual‑exploitation ring operating from Phnom Penh [1][2]. The operation was announced by presidential spokesperson Kang Yu‑jung, underscoring a high‑level cross‑border crackdown. Officials highlighted the swift cooperation between the two nations’ law‑enforcement agencies.

Scam ring impersonated officials and extorted over 26 billion won Investigators said the group posed as prosecutors and financial regulators, convincing 165 South Korean victims that they faced criminal investigations [1]. By exploiting this ruse, the ring extracted approximately 26.7 billion won (about $20 million) from the victims. The scheme demonstrated sophisticated social‑engineering tactics targeting overseas Koreans.

Victims forced to produce sexual content for exploitative videos Authorities reported that numerous female victims were coerced into recording explicit videos or sending sexual photos as part of the scam [1]. This method marked a shift from simple financial fraud to psychologically manipulative sexual exploitation. The forced content was intended for distribution on illicit platforms, amplifying harm to the victims.

Government to block videos, verify nationalities, and repatriate suspects Seoul announced immediate measures to block circulation of the exploitative videos and to return the detained suspects to South Korea for prosecution [1][2]. Officials will verify each suspect’s nationality during repatriation, noting that some ring members are South Korean nationals. The crackdown follows the August death of a Korean student lured to a Cambodian scam center, reflecting heightened vigilance against crimes targeting Koreans abroad.