South Korea Cambodia Scam Repatriation 2026: 73 Suspects Extradited in Massive Joint Operation
On Jan 23, 2026, 73 South Korean scam suspects were repatriated from Cambodia. They are accused of swindling 48.6 billion won using deepfakes and plastic surgery to hide.
The largest single-country criminal repatriation in South Korean history has just been completed. On January 23, 2026, a chartered Korean Air flight carrying 73 South Korean nationals arrived at Incheon International Airport at 9:41 a.m. The group is accused of running sophisticated online scam operations out of Cambodia.
Scale of South Korea Cambodia Scam Repatriation 2026
According to Cheong Wa Dae, the suspects allegedly swindled a staggering 48.6 billion won ($33.1 million) from 869 victims. The joint investigation between South Korean and Cambodian police targeted seven high-security criminal compounds across cities like Sihanoukville and Poipet.
The details of their operations are chilling. One couple is accused of stealing 12 billion won through romance scams using deep fake technology to deceive victims. They even underwent plastic surgery to evade law enforcement. Beyond fraud, three suspects face charges of robbery by hostage and illegal gambling. During the raids, authorities also rescued several men in their 20s who had been detained and tortured within these compounds.
Key Details of the Repatriation
This massive operation involved a multi-agency task force including the National Police Agency, the Justice Ministry, and the National Intelligence Service. Most suspects appeared to be in their 20s and 30s, dressed in light clothing reflecting the warm Cambodian climate they left behind.
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