Police have begun a full-scale investigation into a domestic criminal network connected to a Cambodian crime syndicate, following the d**th of a Korean university student who was t**tured and k***ed in Cambodia.
It has been confirmed that the Korean-based group operated in a decentralized “cell-like” structure, helping them avoid law enforcement detection until now.
Authorities are now expanding their investigation beyond recruiters of bank accounts used for fraud, looking into higher-level figures within the organization.
On the 13th, the Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency’s Criminal Investigation Unit announced they are focusing investigative resources on the upper members of the group involving Hong (in his 20s), a recruiter for fraudulent bank accounts, who has already been indicted and detained for violating the Electronic Financial Transactions Act.
Police have identified that Hong’s organization operated in a cell-based, compartmentalized system.
Investigators are now reviewing communication records and financial transaction data to determine whether there were additional crimes committed either in Korea or abroad.
Victim Lured to Cambodia, Found D**d After Three Weeks
The victim, Park (22), a university student, departed for Cambodia on July 17, saying he would attend a local expo.
He was found d**d inside a car near Bokor Mountain in Kampot, Cambodia on August 8, about three weeks later.
Cambodian authorities have stated the suspected cause of **ath was cardiac arrest due to t**ture.
A police official said: "We are investigating evidence of any connections between the group that recruited Park and the Cambodian criminal organization."
Park was a student at a university in South Chungcheong Province and is said to have traveled to Cambodia after being introduced by Hong, a senior at the same university.
Traumatic Footage and Allegations Surface
The first trial for Hong, who was indicted last month, is scheduled to take place on November 13 at the Andong Branch of the Daegu District Court.
Previously, “Cheonma”, the administrator of the Telegram channel “War on Crime 2”, released a video allegedly showing Park in Cambodia before his d**th.
In the footage, a person believed to be Park is forced to inhale drugs and is seen explaining to gang members how he ended up in Cambodia.
Cheonma claimed in the video description:
"Park was brought to Cambodia as a mule for fraudulent bank accounts through Hong’s introduction. After a withdrawal incident involving 57 million won (approx. $42,000), he was beaten and detained."
Joint Autopsy and Diplomatic Action Underway
Korean police are expected to travel to Cambodia around the 20th to participate in a joint autopsy.
A police official commented:
"Due to the nature of this being a crime that occurred overseas, there are limitations to domestic investigations."
"Strong diplomatic cooperation will be essential to fully respond to the case."
source: https://n.news.naver.com/article/448/0000563143?sid=102
Context:
South Korean president Lee Jae Myung has called for “all-out” diplomatic efforts to protect Korean citizens in Cambodia after a university student was lured there by a scam ring and allegedly t**tured to d**th.
At a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Lee said “protecting the lives and safety of citizens is the government’s greatest responsibility” and called for all scam victims to be “swiftly repatriated”.
The number of kidnappings of South Koreans in Cambodia has soared in recent months, prompting national security adviser Wi Sung-lac to form an emergency task force for the swift repatriation of citizens affected by scams.
Victims of scams are typically lured with promises of high-paying jobs before being confined in compounds and forced to participate in online fraud operations, particularly voice phishing scams, according to multiple sources, including Yonhap News. Those who refuse face beatings with pipes and electric shock devices, according to rescued victims who spoke to lawmaker Park Chan-dae, Yonhap News reported.
The body of the alleged victim, identified by Cambodian authorities as 22-year-old Park Min-ho, remains in Cambodia more than two months after his death. In a media interview, family members described the situation as “k**ling him twice”, with his remains still in cold storage. South Korea is seeking to conduct a joint autopsy.
Three Chinese nationals have been charged with m**der and online fraud in connection with Park’s death, according to Cambodian prosecutors. Two additional suspects remain at large.
Park’s family last saw him in mid-July, when he left home, reportedly telling his family he was attending an exhibition during a summer holiday. A week later, his family received a ransom call demanding 50m won, with the caller claiming Park had “caused trouble”, according to Yonhap News.
Contact ceased after several days, and two weeks later, his body was found near Bokor Mountain in Kampot province, an area known for crime compounds and human tr****king.
According to Cambodia’s interior ministry, the student died from “severe t**ture” and showed bruising in many places on the body, based on authorities’ investigation and preliminary autopsy.
A witness who was confined with Park and later rescued told Democratic party lawmaker Park Chan-dae’s office that the student had been so severely beaten he could not walk or breathe. He reportedly died in a vehicle while being taken to hospital.
Amid rising diplomatic tensions between the two countries, South Korea is seeking to send police to Cambodia to establish a “Korean desk” so officers can work directly with Cambodian police rather than operate via embassy officials. Both sides are scheduled to meet next week.
Cambodia’s interior ministry has disputed some media reports, stating it did not receive complaints from Park’s family or the Korean embassy before police discovered his body in a vehicle during a patrol. The ministry said it was cooperating with Korean officials on the investigation.
Lee Un-ju, a senior Democratic party lawmaker, wrote on Facebook that if Cambodia responded inadequately, measures including military action “should be considered” to protect Korean nationals.
The case has exposed an explosion of kidnappings involving Koreans in Cambodia. Reported cases jumped from 17 in 2023 to 220 last year, with 330 recorded by August this year, according to data the foreign ministry provided to parliament.
South Korea has raised travel warnings for Phnom Penh and areas including Sihanoukville and Bokor Mountain to special advisories, urging citizens to cancel or postpone non-essential travel.
Amnesty International recently identified 53 large-scale scam compounds in Cambodia and accused the government of enabling the operations through inaction.
Cr. The Guardian
original post: here
1. This is honestly insane ㅡㅡ
2. As expected the biggest betrayer is never far away from you
3. An university senior... Seriously we need to charge them with m**der
4. No different from a pyramid scheme
5. The victim is just too pitiful....
6. Wow this is so scary
7. Give him the d**th penalty
8. Hannams need to d*e
9. Instead of blaming the victim for falling for it, we need to bash the real perpetrators. And also the Chinese f**ers need to d*e
10. Wow it was his own senior f*ck....
