In connection with the case of a Korean college student who was tortured to death in Cambodia, police arrested some of the recruiters for bank accounts opened under borrowed names in Korea.
According to the North Gyeongsang Provincial Police Agency on the 11th, some recruiters for bank accounts opened under borrowed names were caught in Korea last month on charges including fraud for sending college student A, who is from Yecheon, North Gyeongsang, to Cambodia in Jul. The arrested individuals were all identified as Korean nationals.
On Jul. 17, A told the family that "I will visit a local exposition" and departed for Cambodia. But three weeks later on Aug. 8, A was found dead near Bokor Mountain in Kampot, Cambodia. The area has recently seen a spate of reports of job scams and confinement targeting Koreans.
Local police listed the cause of death on the death certificate as "cardiac arrest (extreme pain due to torture)." Earlier, A's family reportedly received a demand for more than 50 million won from a blackmailer who spoke in the accent of a Korean Chinese (Joseonjok), saying "A caused trouble and it must be resolved," and reported it to the police and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A police official said, "We believe A is linked to some of the recruiters for bank accounts opened under borrowed names and are expanding the investigation," adding, "We are tracking those involved in the recent Cambodia job scam and kidnapping cases."
Meanwhile, A's remains have not been repatriated and have remained in the country for two months due to cooperation issues with the Cambodian government. Police are also reviewing repatriation options in consultation with the bereaved family, foreign affairs authorities and local investigative authorities.