South Korea has imposed its first independent sanctions on 15 individuals and 132 organizations linked to online scam operations in Southeast Asia, signaling an aggressive new stance against transnational cybercrime following the torture and death of a South Korean student.
The Foreign Ministry announced the blacklisting targets entities and individuals involved in illegal transnational crimes, particularly online scams preying on South Koreans. These include groups like Prince Group and Huione Group.
A ministry official stated the government has undertaken “comprehensive efforts to respond to transnational crimes that pose a serious threat to the lives and property of our citizens.”
The unprecedented sanctions come after a South Korean university student died from torture by an online job scam gang in Cambodia. The incident sparked national outrage and pushed the government to accelerate its response.
Prince Group is known for operating illegal online scams from the Prince Complex and Mango Complex in Cambodia, where many South Koreans were lured with promises of lucrative jobs.
Huione Group operated an online payment platform, which scam gangs then utilized for money laundering.
The ministry added that these independent sanctions are an extension of ongoing efforts to eradicate transnational crime and engage with other countries on the issue.
South Korea and China previously signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to cooperate in combating call center gangs and online fraud.
This cooperation was established amid beliefs that many scam gangs operating in Southeast Asia are either run by or linked to Chinese citizens and businesses.
Separately, South Korea also signed an MOU with Cambodia to establish a dedicated task force within the Cambodian police. This unit aims to specifically combat similar crimes targeting South Koreans and enhance the protection of its citizens abroad.