South Korean authorities flew home 73 nationals accused of running large-scale online fraud operations based in Cambodia. Officials say the group is linked to scams that defrauded roughly 869 South Koreans of about 48.6 billion won, using tactics including deepfake romance schemes and fake investment pitches.

South Korean law enforcement coordinated a repatriation operation that returned 73 nationals from Cambodia to face investigation on charges tied to transnational online fraud. Authorities allege the network victimized approximately 869 South Korean citizens and stole about 48.6 billion won (roughly $33 million) through a mixture of so-called pig‑butchering investment frauds, deepfake-enabled romance scams, and other false investment solicitations run out of scam compounds. Officials described the returned suspects as operators and facilitators working inside compound-style centers that used social media, fabricated identities and AI‑generated media to build trust and extract funds. The repatriation was presented as part of a broader multinational crackdown on Southeast Asian scam hubs that has included arrests, passport revocations and diplomatic pressure to dismantle operational infrastructure. South Korean prosecutors and police said they will pursue criminal investigations and cooperate with regional partners to trace proceeds and identify further participants; the action follows intensified enforcement against transnational fraud networks after major indictments and sanctions in late 2025.