South Korean Couple Extradited from Cambodia After Running $9.6M AI-Enhanced Romance Investment Scheme Targeting 100+ Victims

A South Korean couple, identified as masterminds behind a 12 billion won romance investment scam, have been extradited from Cambodia and referred to prosecutors on charges of violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes (Fraud). Police are actively seeking 26 additional fugitives, including another suspected mastermind, believed to still be operating from Cambodia.

Modus Operandi and Victim Exploitation

Investigators report the organization defrauded over 100 victims between March 2021 and February 2025, using deepfake AI-generated personas to pose as romantic partners over messaging apps. Daily engagement and displays of fictitious wealth were used to convince victims to invest in supposed legitimate opportunities promoted via YouTube channels and fabricated corporate websites. Fraudulent mobile apps and shell websites further reinforced the illusion of lawful business operations.

Victims were instructed to transfer funds, which were laundered through virtual currency and gift card conversions, then moved across borders. Investigators note the perpetrators leveraged offshore infrastructure, including Cambodian offices with burner phones and computers, operating branch offices and call centers under a franchise-like model. Roles were carefully segmented, with execution teams handling outreach and transfers, while support teams managed finances and personnel.

Enforcement and Legal Actions

The couple were forcibly repatriated on February 23, 2026, after evading capture through temporary release and plastic surgery. To date, 57 individuals linked to the organization have been arrested, 39 detained, while police continue to pursue 26 fugitives. The case underscores the integration of romance scams, AI-generated content, offshore operations, and cross-border money laundering into highly efficient fraud networks.

Authorities are investigating allegations that the couple split from the original group, received foreign funding, and established a new criminal network, highlighting the adaptability of modern organized financial crime.