Will Cambodia’s scam epidemic cause South Koreans to shun country?
Following the death of a student, Seoul has announced that 80 South Koreans, believed to be victims of scams, are still missing in Cambodia
On Tuesday, Cho’s ministry noted that 80 South Koreans who were possible victims of fake jobs or scam centres were unaccounted for in Cambodia.
Between January and August this year, 330 South Koreans were reported to have gone missing or been held against their will after entering Cambodia. As of August, “the safety of about 80 people has yet to be verified”, a foreign ministry official said.
Previously averaging 10 to 20 cases a year, the number of reported kidnappings or confinement of South Koreans in Cambodia rose to 220 last year, according to lawmaker Na Kyung-won’s office. Many were reportedly lured there by fraudulent job offers promising high pay.