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Sixty-four Koreans who were detained by Cambodian immigration authorities after being questioned by local police regarding alleged involvement in voice phishing scams and other criminal activity in Cambodia arrive in Korea via Incheon International Airport on Oct. 18, 2025. (pool photo)

Detention warrants had been requested for 58 of the 64 Koreans who were extradited to South Korea from Cambodia on Saturday after being detained by local authorities, and one has already been detained, according to Korean police on Monday.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that 10 more Korean nationals have been arrested during crackdowns by local police against criminal organizations, and that two more Koreans who had reported being held against their will were rescued. 

The provincial police agency in North Chungcheong, one of the main teams investigating online scam operations involving Korean nationals based in Cambodia, requested warrants to detain all 45 suspects it had questioned. The suspects are accused of committing crimes related to investment scams, voice phishing, and no-show scams between late 2024 and July of this year. 

Prosecutors sent back a request from the Seoul Seodaemun Police Station for a request for a detention warrant for one suspect who is being investigated for investment fraud.  

“After the suspect was detained, he contacted the embassy for help and reported the incident to local police. We also considered the path of his exit from the country and the bank accounts used for criminal activity,” the Seodamun police said. 

The provincial police in northern Gyeonggi requested detention warrants for 11 of 15 suspects being investigated for perpetrating romance scams between March and April of this year, while the remaining four have been released. 

Suspects who appear to have acted primarily under duress will be investigated without being detained. 

Ten Koreans who were arrested in Cambodia during a separate operation by local police on Thursday are expected to be extradited to South Korea after being questioned by local police. Two Koreans who had been reported missing were rescued by Cambodian officers on the same day, and are expected to return to South Korea next week.

By Lim Jae-woo, staff reporter; Seo Young-ji, staff reporter

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