Korean-targeted human trafficking for cyber scam operations: how Cambodia-based criminal networks exploit Korean vulnerabilities

Human trafficking intersects with cyber scams, yet Korean cases remainunderexplored. This study provides an in-depth analysis of Korean-targetedrecruitment and exploitation pathways for cyber scam operations inCambodia. Thematic analysis identified four themes: Korean-targeted recruit-ment, multi-layered coercive control, exploitation of Korean nationals’ char-acteristics to target fellow Koreans, and exploitation of Korea’s financialsystem and scam industrialization. Korea’s socioeconomic conditions createstructural vulnerability, while victims’ linguistic, cultural, and digital skills areexploited for cyber scams. Unlike traditional trafficking, this pathwayuniquely involves induced voluntariness, skill-based exploitation, addiction-facilitated coercion, and victim-to-perpetrator transition, highlighting theneed for country-specific prevention and response strategies