Seoul: The total number of Koreans involved in online romance scams and investment schemes, known as “pig butchering,” in Cambodia may significantly exceed previous estimates of around 1,000, according to the Ministry of Justice.
According to Yonhap News Agency, these scams involve criminals creating fake online identities to gain victims’ trust, ultimately manipulating them into sending money. The “pig butchering” scams involve fraudsters convincing victims to invest in fake cryptocurrencies or other fraudulent assets after building trust over time.
There are two main groups of Koreans involved in these scams in Cambodia: those complicit in the activities and those being exploited. Some individuals traveled voluntarily to participate in fraud operations targeting fellow Korean nationals, often operating under the control of Chinese criminal syndicates. Others were deceived with promises of high-paying jobs, only to be trafficked and forced into working for criminal gangs upon arrival, enduring brutal working conditions akin to modern-day slavery.
Survivors who have returned to Korea have shared harrowing stories of being detained and abused. Some recounted tales of victims being killed or tortured to death, with their bodies cremated without notifying their families. Reports also suggest illegal organ harvesting within scam compounds.
Survivor accounts suggest that the true number of Koreans detained or killed in Cambodia may far exceed official estimates. One individual reported seeing around 50 Koreans held in just one facility. During a Cabinet meeting, President Lee Jae Myung acknowledged the severity of the situation, noting that nationals from several countries are forced to work in Cambodia’s scam operations, with Korea ranking fifth or sixth in terms of nationals forced to work against their will.
Data from Rep. Park Chan-dae of the Democratic Party of Korea, based on figures from the justice ministry, shows a growing discrepancy between the number of Koreans departing for Cambodia and those returning, with the figure rising sharply to 3,248 by 2024. This increase raises questions about their whereabouts and reasons for being there.
The government is urged to launch a fact-finding mission to gather accurate data on Koreans who may be trafficking victims. Reliable information is crucial for diplomatic efforts to rescue those trapped overseas. Testimonies from survivors reveal that many Koreans trapped in these scams face life-threatening abuse and exploitation.
Park has called for accurate data collection on Koreans in Cambodia, advocating for a comprehensive cross-check of departure and arrival records. He pledged to work with lawmakers to secure the necessary budget for such investigations during the National Assembly’s review of next year’s government spending proposal. Similar incidents are noted in other countries, suggesting that Cambodia may be just one aspect of a larger issue involving international criminal organizations trafficking Koreans across Southeast Asia.
According to the United Nations, more than 100,000 people had been trafficked to Cambodia for forced labor and sexual exploitation as of September 2022. Protecting its citizens abroad from such dangers is a core responsibility of the Korean government and requires swift, coordinated action-beginning with Cambodia, but not ending there.