South Korea arrests scam ringleader over student's death in Cambodia

The North Gyeongsang Provincial Police Department detained a man identified only as "A" in Incheon on Oct. 17., on charges of deceiving 22-year-old Park Min-ho into traveling to Cambodia, Chosun Biz reported.

In July, a man in his 20s surnamed Hong introduced A to Park, then allegedly opened a bank account in Park’s name and coerced him to make the trip.

Park left for Cambodia on July 17. On Aug. 8, Cambodian authorities found him dead in a car near Bokor Mountain in Kampot Province.

Cambodian police listed cardiac arrest resulting from torture and extreme pain as the cause of death on his death certificate, Korea Times reported.

Following the incident, police last month arrested Hong for operating a ring that distributes virtual bank accounts under other people's names to transfer money for criminal purposes.

Investigators said Hong, who attended the same school as Park, now faces charges under the Electronic Financial Transactions Act.

South Korean police are continuing to investigate his motive for taking Park to Cambodia and are searching for additional suspects.

Park’s body is being kept at a temple in Cambodia.

At the request of a South Korean government task force in Phnom Penh, a further examination could take place on Oct. 20–21, pending consultations between the two countries.

The body would then be cremated and repatriated to South Korea.

Officials in both countries believe Park was the victim of a professional kidnapping tied to a transnational fraud center in Kampot Province.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has offered condolences and pledged tougher action against online fraud.

South Korean authorities say more citizens are being lured to Cambodia by fake high-paying job offers.

They estimate about 1,000 South Koreans are currently working in fraud centers in Cambodia.