South Korea’s Financial Services Commission published a government review of the first year of coordinated action against transnational crime, reporting increased arrests and repatriations alongside reductions in scam losses. The review outlines a shift from separate domestic investigations toward coordinated operations against overseas criminal bases, supported by measures to interrupt criminal funding and recover proceeds. In January–September 2026, arrests in Southeast Asia rose to 834 from 340 a year earlier, while fugitive repatriations increased to 655 from 254. Reported kidnapping, confinement and other incidents linked to Cambodian scam operations fell 95.1%, from 386 to 19. Voice phishing cases declined 50.2%, from 18,746 to 9,333, while losses fell 57.5%, from KRW 986.7 billion to KRW 419.6 billion. Operational results included the January 23 repatriation of 73 suspects accused of defrauding 869 South Koreans of approximately KRW 48.6 billion, the largest group repatriation to date. The response is coordinated through a task force established on Dec. 29, 2025, involving 10 agencies, including the commission. Financial measures already taken include a system operating since June 2026 to suspend transactions in accounts suspected of involvement in new forms of phishing. Legislation passed in August established a basis for confiscating criminal proceeds even when offenders have died or fled abroad. Further action will combine operations against overseas criminal bases and their leaders with tracing, freezing and recovering proceeds, alongside victim protection and international cooperation.

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