South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced sanctions against 15 individuals and 132 organizations illegally involved in transnational crimes in Southeast Asia, especially online scam operations targeting South Koreans, including those linked to the Prince Group and Huione Group.
This blacklisting is part of the South Korean government's efforts to combat large-scale organized crime in the region, following the death of a South Korean university student who was tortured by an online job scam gang in Cambodia. The incident caused nationwide alarm and prompted urgent government action.
This marks the first time South Korea has independently imposed sanctions on transnational crimes in Southeast Asia.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that those sanctioned include criminal organizations involved in call center scams and other online frauds, as well as related members, including the Prince Group and Huione Group.
It is well known that the Prince Group is behind illegal online scam operations based in the Prince Complex and Mango Complex in Cambodia, locations where many South Koreans have been lured with promises of high-paying jobs.
Meanwhile, the Huione Group operates an online payment platform that has been a key tool used by online scam gangs for money laundering.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Korea said, “The government has made every comprehensive effort to respond to transnational crimes that pose serious threats to the lives and property of our citizens,” adding that today’s independent sanctions build on efforts to eradicate transnational crime and discussions with other countries on this issue.
Earlier, South Korea signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with China to cooperate in combating call center gangs and online fraud during a summit between President Lee Jae-myung and President Xi Jinping earlier this month, as many scammers in Southeast Asia are believed to be operated by or linked to Chinese nationals or Chinese-run businesses.
In addition, South Korea signed an MOU with Cambodia to establish a special task force within the Cambodian police to combat similar crimes targeting South Koreans and to better protect its citizens.
/SourceYonhap