48 more scam suspects arrested after return from Cambodia
Koreans who were detained in Cambodia over their alleged involvement in online scams arrive at Incheon International Airport, Oct. 18. Joint Press Corps
Forty-eight more suspects have been arrested following their repatriation from Cambodia over their alleged involvement in online scam rings, police said Tuesday.
The 48 are among the 64 Koreans who were flown back from Cambodia under police custody Saturday.
One was arrested immediately with a pre-issued warrant, bringing the total number of arrests to 49.
Five were released shortly after their arrival, and arrest warrant hearings are scheduled to take place for the remaining 10 at the Uijeongbu District Court later Tuesday, the National Police Agency said.
Most of the suspects were recently detained in a crackdown by Cambodian authorities on criminal rings operating romance and other online scams.
Some of them were rescued after they reported their confinement.
Police are investigating whether their involvement in the scams was voluntary or under pressure following their abduction and confinement by Cambodia-based criminal organizations.
Some of the repatriated suspects reportedly told investigators they were detained and assaulted by members of scam rings in Cambodia.
The case of a Korean college student who was found tortured to death in the Southeast Asian country in August has put a spotlight on growing crimes against Koreans.
All 64 suspects underwent drug tests with their consent, and all came back negative, the NPA earlier said.