Investigators identified Son Cha-hyun, a South Korean national born in 1984, as the alleged leader of an online fraud network that operated from Sihanoukville, Cambodia, between September 2024 and March 2026.

The group allegedly targeted companies, restaurants and retail businesses in South Korea by posing as buyers or sellers offering goods at attractive prices. After gaining victims' trust, they reportedly requested advance payments before disappearing with the funds.

Authorities allege the scheme defrauded 28 victims of more than 1 billion won (US$720,000).

South Korean investigators later expanded the case, concluding that the network was linked to 619 victims and total losses exceeding 17.7 billion won, or roughly US$12.4 million.

Given the seriousness of the case, the Seoul District Court requested that Interpol issue Red Notices for all eight suspects.

In March 2026, Bac Ninh Provincial Police, working with Vietnam's Immigration Department, discovered the eight South Korean nationals renting a five-story house in Hap Linh Ward after officers observed suspicious activity.

An administrative inspection found that none of the suspects had registered their temporary residence as required. Police also seized computers, tablets, mobile phones and USB storage devices believed to have been used in cybercrime activities.

Subsequent verification confirmed that all eight suspects were subject to arrest warrants issued by the Seoul District Court and were wanted internationally under Interpol Red Notices.

Bao Khanh