Vietnamese police have arrested three South Korean nationals who were allegedly operating a large scale online fraud network in Cambodia and were wanted under Interpol Red Notices. The suspects were detained while hiding in Da Nang and have since been handed over to South Korean authorities.
Interpol-Wanted Fugitives Captured in Da Nang
Da Nang police, working with Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security, confirmed the transfer of the suspects on 4 December. The individuals — Choi Minsu (26), Choi Jinwoo (25), and Seo Jaeseok (28) — were internationally wanted for charges including fraud, organized crime, and human trafficking.
According to investigators, the trio played key roles in a criminal network based in Bavet, a Cambodian border town known for hosting fraud compounds targeting foreign victims.
Deepfake Romance Scam Targeting Men
Authorities say the group used deepfake technology to impersonate women online, establishing emotional relationships with male victims. Once trust was formed, victims were lured into what the scammers called “paid travel missions” — a fabricated program promising free flights, accommodation, and reimbursement after completion.
Victims were then coaxed into traveling to Vietnam or Thailand, where they were further manipulated into crossing into Cambodia.
Once inside Bavet, victims had their passports confiscated and were detained, threatened, and forced to memorize scripted scams to commit online fraud on behalf of the criminal syndicate.
Between August and December 2024 alone, the group is believed to have stolen around USD 1 million.
The Manhunt and Arrest in Vietnam
By mid October 2025, Cambodian authorities alerted Vietnam that the suspects had fled across the border. Da Nang’s Immigration Management Department initiated surveillance and soon identified the fugitives hiding in a hotel in An Hải Ward.
Police units, including special operations forces, moved in and arrested all three without incident. During questioning, the suspects admitted they were wanted by Interpol.
A Growing Regional Challenge
The case highlights the expanding use of AI driven deepfake tools in cross border crime networks operating in Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, and other parts of Southeast Asia. These compounds have increasingly targeted foreign nationals, exploiting regional borders and digital platforms.
Vietnam’s cooperation with South Korea and Cambodia is part of broader international efforts to dismantle such operations and repatriate both suspects and victims.
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