Demand for Financial Information After Phone Confiscation
Police Launch International Joint Investigation
According to a report by Yonhap News on August 27, a man in his twenties from Jeju, who had gone abroad lured by promises of high earnings, was confined, threatened, and assaulted in a foreign country before narrowly escaping. Jeju police have begun investigating the case, viewing it as an organized overseas employment scam.
A young man from Jeju, who was confined in Cambodia after being deceived by a high-paying job offer, escaped and returned home after a month (photo provided for article understanding and unrelated to the content). Pixabay
The Jeju Dongbu Police Station announced on the 27th that it had received a report from a man in his twenties, identified as Mr. A, on July 7, stating, "I was kidnapped and confined in Cambodia." The police are currently investigating based on Mr. A's testimony and have also requested international cooperation in the investigation.
According to the police, in early June, Mr. A decided to go to Cambodia after receiving an offer of a "high-paying overseas job that would allow him to make a lot of money in a short period" from Mr. B, whom he had met through an acquaintance. Mr. A was asked to provide personal identification documents such as his resident registration certificate, a detailed copy of his registration, and a certificate of seal impression, and his airfare was even covered before he departed for Cambodia. However, the situation changed drastically upon his arrival.
Mr. A met with the person he had been communicating with via Telegram at the local airport. Immediately after, his phone and belongings were taken, and he was confined in an unfamiliar building. Mr. A testified that the perpetrators threatened him to hand over his bank account information and passwords, and when he refused, they subjected him to physical threats and assault.
The building was guarded by armed men, making escape nearly impossible. This confinement lasted for about a month. During this period, Mr. A managed to escape by jumping out of a third-floor window when the guards were absent in the early morning hours. He wandered aimlessly through the city before entering a nearby Korean restaurant, where the local Korean owner helped him book a flight ticket, enabling him to return home.
Mr. A recalled, "The restaurant owner reserved a flight ticket for me, and my mother sent the money so I could return safely. I was moved to tears when I had my first bowl of galbitang after arriving in Korea."
According to the police investigation, Mr. B, who lured Mr. A to Cambodia, fled the country immediately after the incident. The police have requested Interpol's assistance to secure Mr. B's whereabouts.
An official from the Jeju Metropolitan Police Agency stated, "Cases of overseas employment scams and confinement like this are increasing nationwide. We have already received additional reports of similar incidents in the Jeju region and are expanding our investigation."
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