Key points:
- Gambling network ran eight sites across Southeast Asia since 2019
- Estimated 530bn won (US$384m) in transactions, with 27.1bn won in profits
- 32 suspects arrested, 13 detained, including teenage recruiters
As reported by JoongAng Daily, South Korean police have dismantled a major international online gambling network responsible for handling approximately 530bn won in illegal transactions over five years.
According to the South Chungcheong police cybercrime unit, the operation was active between January 2019 and July 2024. The syndicate ran eight illegal gambling platforms based in the Philippines, Cambodia and Vietnam. Police estimate that the operators pocketed over 27.1bn won in illicit profits during that period.
The group recruited gamblers using Telegram, requiring potential users to pass a vetting process before being granted access. The websites featured sports betting and casino games such as baccarat, allowing users to place bets while streaming live sports.
Good to know: The gambling sites mimicked legitimate corporate structures, dividing their team into promotional and operational branches. They hired women to serve as online dealers in card games and targeted male users with images linking to real-time gambling services
Police first launched the investigation in late 2023 after receiving reports of minors being hired to promote the gambling sites. This led to several arrests in the network's promotional arm. Further investigations this year led to the arrest of 26 more individuals connected to operations, including 13 who have been formally detained.
Authorities have since seized assets worth 9.2bn won, including luxury vehicles, property and cash. The Korea Communications Standards Commission has blocked access to the gambling sites, and the National Tax Service has been notified to pursue illegal earnings.
