Hike in number of Koreans trafficked to online scam centres in Cambodia
According to data from the Seoul government, there have been 252 reported cases of kidnappings for these activities run by transnational criminal groups. The testimony of a girl who was rescued: ‘They deceived me, robbed me and kept me together with other people identified only by a number instead of a name.’ In August, a fellow countryman was found dead with signs of torture.
Seoul (AsiaNews/Agencies) - There are more and more South Korean citizens among those kidnapped to work in international online fraud centres. According to data from the Seoul government reported by local media, as of July this year, 252 cases of South Koreans kidnapped and confined in Cambodia have already been reported, a sharp increase compared to previous years.
South Korean broadcaster MBC aired the testimony of a 20-year-old woman who was recently rescued and who said that at least 13 other South Koreans remain locked up in the buildings where she was held captive.
She said she was lured to Cambodia with a false job offer promising high pay, but was kidnapped after taking a car recommended by a Korean-speaking Cambodian she met at the airport.
The victim said she had been robbed of 18 million won (editor's note) from her bank account and beaten and tortured for several days to the point that she could barely walk. Those held captive were identified only by numbers and were not allowed to reveal their names.
In August, a South Korean man surnamed Park was found dead in Cambodia with signs of assault and torture. Authorities believe he died after being forced to work in an illegal call centre. These criminal organisations are believed to be involved in collusion with Chinese triads and with the complicity of Cambodian officials.
The authorities in Phnom Penh claim to have made over 2,100 arrests since last June, 30% of which are Chinese citizens. However, according to a recent report by Amnesty International on the phenomenon of scam centres, there are over 50 large-scale criminal organisations operating in Cambodia, with an increase in brutal violence and human trafficking.
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