Chinese gang arrested for kidnapping South Korean in Phnom Penh

PHOTO: THE KOREA HERALD

Cambodian police have arrested four Chinese nationals and one Cambodian in connection with the abduction and torture of a 51-year-old South Korean man in Phnom Penh, amid rising concerns over transnational crime targeting Korean citizens.

The incident occurred on 21 September in Boeng Keng Kang, a popular district of the capital. The victim was dragged into a black vehicle outside a coffee shop. A security guard witnessed the attack and alerted police, who arrested one suspect returning to the scene to drive the victim’s car. The next day, three more Chinese suspects and a Cambodian driver were apprehended at a hotel.

Authorities seized a semi-automatic pistol, ammunition, narcotic pills, drug paraphernalia, and communications equipment. The suspects are being held at Boeng Keng Kang police station and face charges of kidnapping and illegal possession of weapons and drugs.

The case comes as South Korea raises its travel advisory for parts of Cambodia, citing increased reports of fraud and illegal detention. Phnom Penh is now under a Level 2 advisory (travel discouraged), while Sihanoukville, Bokor Mountain, and Bavet are under Level 2.5.

Separately, South Korean prosecutors have indicted six nationals for operating a romance scam out of a call centre in Sihanoukville. The group allegedly posed as women online to lure two Korean men into fake investment schemes, embezzling a total of 282 million won. The scammers received commissions of 3–10% from the criminal network.

The investigation stemmed from a broader probe into illegal gambling operations, where prosecutors uncovered links to the romance scam. One individual has also been charged with facilitating bank transfers for gambling sites.

These cases highlight the growing presence of Chinese-led criminal organisations in Cambodia and their exploitation of foreign nationals, particularly South Koreans. Authorities in both countries are under pressure to strengthen cross-border cooperation and crack down on fraud networks operating in Southeast Asia.

-2025-10-02