V.I (former BIGBANG) linked to Cambodian ”scam base”? ... Past remarks become a hot topic again

Rumours linking V.I (Seungri), the former BIGBANG member who received a prison sentence in the Burning Sun scandal and subsequently retired from show business, to a Cambodian fraud base (fraud complex) are once again drawing attention.

　This renewed focus stems from a shocking incident in Cambodia where a South Korean university student was abducted, detained, and subsequently died. Consequently, online communities have revisited footage of V.I speaking at an event in Cambodia in the past.

　On the 13th (today), footage showing V.I taking to the stage at a Cambodian club, microphone in hand, has been circulating widely across numerous online communities. This is footage that surfaced on social media early last year, becoming a topic of discussion, and is now being shared again.

　In this footage, V.I takes to the stage at a venue and states in English: "When I told my acquaintances I was going to Cambodia, they said it wasn't safe, asking why I would go when the country's situation isn't good." He continues: "I'd tell them, 'Go eat X, then shut up and come here to see what kind of country Cambodia is. It's Cambodia, the most splendid country in Asia.'"

　V.I made the gesture of raising his middle finger while saying "Eat X", prompting loud cheers and applause from the audience.

　In the footage, the stage backdrop featured the words "Prince Brewing" alongside a pattern resembling the Prince Holdings logo.

　Prince Holdings has recently been identified through foreign media as one of the entities operating Cambodia's so-called "fraud hubs" – regional criminal bases. These hubs are suspected of being centres for various cybercrimes, including leading room scams, illegal gambling, and abductions and confinement, with cases of Korean victims also reported.

　Prince Brewing is known as a brand under Prince Holdings. However, locally, it is often operated simply as a brewery and pub brand.

　No confirmed connection exists between V.I and Prince Brewing or Prince Holdings. While it is highly probable he was merely invited to speak at a Prince Brewing event, this footage alone prompted some netizens to raise suspicions of criminal involvement, leaving sarcastic comments such as "The more you dig, the more you find with that kid" and "Are they trying to get G-DRAGON involved in voice phishing too?".