Seoul: South Korea's tax authorities announced they have initiated an investigation into a domestic office of the Cambodia-based Prince Group, which is under suspicion of operating a global scam network. The National Tax Service (NTS) has embarked on this probe following a comprehensive review of Korean nationals allegedly involved in online scams orchestrated by criminal organizations, including Prince Group. This group has been internationally sanctioned for its involvement in activities such as kidnapping, torture, and murder.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the NTS revealed that the group allegedly established overseas real estate consulting firms in key commercial zones of Seoul. These offices, appearing as simple liaison points, were staffed with local employees. The group is suspected of amassing tens or even hundreds of millions of won from domestic investors for real estate initiatives, with funds reportedly transferred to affiliated companies in Cambodia.

"We have not been able to verify that domestic investors actually acquired the properties," stated Ahn Deok-soo, an official from the NTS, during a press briefing. He further mentioned that the group is suspected of camouflaging proceeds from phishing crimes as investments in overseas real estate.

In a related development, 64 South Koreans detained in Cambodia for alleged involvement in online scams were repatriated in October via a chartered flight. A majority of these individuals are now under criminal investigation in South Korea. This large-scale repatriation was preceded by the death of a South Korean college student in Cambodia, reportedly tortured by a criminal ring, which incited public outrage.