Why South Korea Should Bolster Support for Cambodia Against Foreign-Led Cybercrime
[A policy analyst at a leading Cambodian think-tank has called for closer cooperation between South Korean and Cambodia to address the issue of online crimes. Supplied]
-Opinion-
South Asia’s heartland Cambodia maintains its position as a symbol of strength and hospitality because its citizens love South Korean culture deeply. The people of Cambodia show their love for South Korean culture, from their love of K-pop music and Korean dramas to their admiration for the “Miracle on the Han River” entrepreneurial spirit.
The cultural bond between South Korea and Cambodia has developed into close economic ties, tourism growth and people-to-people exchanges, but a dangerous foreign cybercrime wave threatens this relationship. The scams which target global victims simultaneously damage Cambodia’s international standing, creating social instability throughout the country.
The South Korean government needs to strengthen its backing of Cambodia because the nation faces an escalating cybercrime threat from foreign criminal organisations. The technological expertise and diplomatic influence of South Korea makes it the best candidate to lead this fight against cybercrime, which will protect the affection Cambodians have for South Korea, while creating a safer prosperous future for both nations.
The cybercrime situation in Cambodia has become so severe that the country now functions as an unintentional centre for international fraud schemes.
Scam compounds which masquerade as legitimate businesses have spread throughout Sihanoukville and Kampot provinces in the past few years. The operations based in Cambodia use Chinese organised crime groups to attract Asian and international job seekers with deceptive employment offers for hospitality and technology work. The victims who fall into these operations face forced participation in complex online scams which include romance scams, Ponzi investment schemes and cryptocurrency frauds that steal billions from victims from all around the world.
The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) estimates that these networks produce between $2 trillion to $3 trillion in annual illicit profits through their operations in Cambodia, because of its strategic position and inadequate law enforcement in specific areas. The foreign nature of this crisis makes it especially dangerous because it involves criminal operations from outside the country.
The Cambodian government has acknowledged that foreign expatriates, mainly from China, operate these compounds through their ability to exploit weak laws and corrupt practices. The foreign-operated scam compounds have established themselves in Cambodia through Belt and Road Initiative infrastructure, while international watchdogs such as the Global Anti-Scam Organization document their investments in special economic zones.
The presence of these shadowy enclaves disrupts Cambodian neighbourhoods while creating petty crimes from desperate escapees and damaging the country’s international reputation, which hurts its tourism industry.
The Cambodian police conducted 20 compound raids in 2024, which resulted in the rescue of hundreds of trafficked workers, yet the situation remains out of control. The lack of outside assistance makes these efforts seem like trying to dry a floor while water keeps pouring in. The foreign-operated cybercrime wave has also affected South Korean citizens, requiring Seoul to take immediate action.
A South Korean man named Park became the second Korean victim of Chinese-operated scams when his body was found in a Kampot dumpster in August 2025. He joined hundreds of other Koreans who responded to deceptive job postings on Korean-language job boards which turned out to be operated by Chinese scammers.
The scam operators used their knowledge of Korean culture to deceive ethnic Koreans through fake recruitment schemes. The facility held Park after he arrived in Phnom Penh, ostensibly for digital marketing work, before forcing him into scamming operations that targeted Korean victims back in their home country.
The investigation into his death revealed disturbing details about his treatment at the hands of Chinese scam operators. A post-mortem examination revealed that he had suffered from extensive physical abuse which included a swollen face, broken ribs and ligature marks indicating prolonged confinement. A police operation revealed that Chinese criminal organisations operated dozens of scam compounds from this location.
The compound operated as a scam centre that used so-called “pig butchering” tactics to trick victims into sending money through romance scam, investment schemes and cryptocurrency scams. The victim who resisted orders to carry out scams for two weeks before his fatal beating, received no mercy from the Chinese operators.
A second South Korean suffered a similar fate earlier this year, when he was taken hostage for ransom.
The South Korean foreign ministry registered a formal protest against the incident, while asking Cambodian authorities to conduct a complete investigation and provide assistance to Park’s grieving family.
The South Korean government faces restrictions in its ability to act because it maintains only one police attaché at its Phnom Penh embassy and depends on Cambodian cooperation for investigations. The attaché reportedly faces challenges from jurisdictional issues and suspected official corruption.
This situation demonstrates a major deficiency, as foreign actors conducted this operation without any Cambodian involvement. The transnational operation used Belt and Road Initiative infrastructure to establish its operations in Cambodia, while Cambodian authorities face the responsibility of handling the aftermath of this foreign exploitation.
The Cambodian people maintain their authentic affection for South Korea, which makes this situation even more tragic.
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has conducted surveys which demonstrated that more than 70% of Cambodians consider South Korea their favourite foreign nation, because they share common values about work ethics, family dedication and fast-paced development. The popularity of K-dramas such as “Crash Landing on You” reaches peak levels in Cambodia, while BTS concerts become instant sellouts.
The “Hallyu” wave has brought concrete advantages to Cambodia through the many South Korean business investments that have established manufacturing facilities and transferred technological expertise.
Cambodian people demonstrate their devotion to South Korea through their participation in Korean cultural events and their backing of enhanced bilateral relations.
The cybercrime threat against Cambodia endangers these positive relations.
The tragic death of Park demonstrates how Chinese scammers who pretend to be Korean recruiters exploit border crossings to harm innocent people.
A combination of technological assistance, diplomatic power and economic incentives from Seoul will help dismantle these networks, while protecting citizens and upholding the bond between nations.
South Korea can fight crime while strengthening its friendship with Cambodia, which will become a beacon for Asian development in the future. The time has arrived for admiration to evolve into alliance which will protect both people and families from suffering in silence and prevent more bodies from being found in dumpsters.
Dr. Seun Sam is a policy analyst at the Royal Academy of Cambodia. The views and opinions expressed are his own.
-The Phnom Penh Post-
