A South Korean man, identified by the surname Kim, has been sentenced to seven years in prison by a Seoul court after being convicted of joining and recruiting for a crime syndicate involved in fraudulent activities in Cambodia, specifically at a location known as the 'Mango Zone'. The court highlighted that Kim had lured other South Koreans into the scam by promising them high returns on investments, ultimately leading to significant financial losses for the victims, who collectively lost around 8 billion KRW (approximately $6.7 million USD). During the trial, Kim was ordered to pay a fine and undergo rehabilitation for drug addiction, indicating a broader issue within the crime ring.

Judge Go So-young emphasized the planned and organized nature of the crimes committed by Kim and his associates, which targeted numerous victims indiscriminately. Victim testimonies indicated a strong desire for justice and punishment against the perpetrators, prompting the judge to impose a strict sentence as a warning to deter similar future offenses. Despite Kim's cooperation during the investigation and the relatively low financial gains compared to the massive losses incurred by victims, the court underscored the severe impact of the crime.