South Korea to Provide Cambodia with List of Online Scam Masterminds

PHNOM PENH–South Korea has pledged to provide Cambodia’s Interior Ministry with a list of suspected online scam masterminds for possible blacklisting and entry bans.

The pledge was made during the meeting between Korean Second Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Jina and Interior Minister Sar Sokha on Oct. 17 as both countries seek to strengthen cooperation in preventing and cracking down on online scams.

The visit came amid public concern following the tragic death of a young Korean man and aims to bolster collaboration to ensure the safety of South Koreans abroad.

Sokha, who is also a deputy prime minister, called the provision of the list a key element of bilateral and international cooperation. Cambodia will prepare a blacklist, ban listed individuals from entry, and instruct authorities to detain them immediately at all border checkpoints.

Both sides agreed to establish a joint task force, similar to those Cambodia has formed with other nations, to expedite efforts to combat online scams. Jina also pledged South Korea’s support in training, capacity building, information sharing, and experience exchange for specialized Cambodian officials.

To raise public awareness, both countries plan to intensify educational campaigns and encourage other nations to continue collaborating to tackle the issue.

Sokha described the visit as a model of practical cooperation in addressing common challenges, noting that combating online scams benefits both Koreans and Cambodians.

He reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to strictly enforcing laws by detaining criminals, mostly foreigners, prosecuting them in court, implementing deportation procedures, and repatriating them to their home countries.

He added that Cambodia has actively shared information on scam networks and money laundering operations with regional and international partners but regretted that some countries and organizations have ignored these efforts while placing blame on Cambodia.

Sokha expressed hope that Jina would convey accurate information about Cambodia’s efforts to Korean leaders, media, and the public.

According to the General Department of Immigration’s statement issued on Oct. 18, Cambodia has repatriated 64 South Koreans who violated Cambodian law, including five women, of whom 59 were involved in online scams.