A shocking case has emerged in which a Korean actress and model, known for playing minor roles in the entertainment industry, has been identified as a recruiter who trafficked a Korean woman to a Cambodian crime syndicate.
According to DongA Ilbo, the actress, referred to as A, lured B, a Korean woman, under the pretense of offering a job in Japanese interpretation in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. A is reportedly searchable through major Korean portals, indicating her public profile.
Upon B’s arrival in Phnom Penh, A met her in person and deceived her by describing the job as “easy work”. She then transported B to an apartment by the sea in Sihanoukville. Once inside, B was assaulted by three men, who also seized her passport and smartphone.
Investigations later revealed that A had sold B to the crime syndicate for 5 million KRW (approximately $3,700). B was confined in a building and forced to appear on adult livestreams, pressured to beg viewers for donations. If she failed to meet daily quotas, she was subjected to verbal abuse and physical violence.
B’s ordeal ended when her family successfully located and rescued her. Immediately after arriving in Cambodia, B had sent a verification photo, but soon lost contact. Alarmed, her family contacted the local Korean community, collaborated with Cambodian police, and stormed the building to free her from captivity.
This case echoes the tragic incident from August, when a Korean university student was kidnapped and tortured to death in Cambodia. Since then, the “Cambodia Crisis” has become a national issue. The Korean government estimates that around 1,000 Koreans are involved in Cambodia’s scam industry, though experts believe the real number could be far higher.
Data obtained by Rep. Park Chan-dae (Democratic Party) from the Ministry of Justice reveals a dramatic rise in the discrepancy between Korean nationals departing to Cambodia and those returning. In 2021, the difference was 113. By 2022, it ballooned to 3,209, then 2,662 in 2023, and 3,248 in 2024—suggesting that thousands of Koreans have not returned annually.
This raises concerns that many Koreans may be involved in or victims of Cambodian scam hubs. Rep. Park stated, “Based on testimonies from the ground, there may be many victims who haven’t been discovered yet. The government must thoroughly compare immigration records with consular and police data to locate missing persons.”
As investigations continue, this chilling case underscores the urgent need for coordinated international action against transnational human trafficking and scam networks that exploit vulnerable individuals under false pretenses.
Sources: Daum
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