22 Members of Organization Operating Illegal Gambling Site Worth 1.2 Trillion Won Caught

4 Arrested, 18 Released Without Detention... Operating 24 Illegal Gambling Sites
Seized Criminal Proceeds Worth Approximately 57 Billion KRW

The Cyber Crime Investigation Unit of the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency announced on the 23rd that out of 22 suspects who operated illegal sports gambling sites worth approximately 1.2 trillion won in China and domestically, pocketing 57 billion won, 4 were arrested and 18 were booked without detention. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jung-wan] A group operating illegal sports gambling sites worth about 1.2 trillion KRW in China and domestically, pocketing approximately 57 billion KRW in profits, has been arrested by the police.

On the 23rd, the Cyber Crime Investigation Unit of the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency announced that they had arrested four people, including Mr. A (42), on charges of violating the National Sports Promotion Act and establishing gambling spaces, and booked 18 accomplices, including Mr. B (35), without detention.

According to the police, Mr. A and others are suspected of operating 24 illegal sports gambling sites online worth 1.2 trillion KRW from July 2018 to April this year, earning about 57 billion KRW in criminal proceeds.

Investigations revealed that they initially set up a call center in China to operate the illegal gambling sites. However, due to restrictions on activities in China caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, they entered Korea in April 2020 and are known to have continued their crimes by establishing call centers in officetels around Incheon, Gyeonggi, and Daegu from May 2020.

They are also suspected of exchanging gambling funds for site members through pre-prepared dummy bank accounts.

The police obtained related intelligence in April last year and confirmed their identities and the scale of criminal proceeds through a year-long communication investigation and account tracking. The total criminal proceeds worth approximately 1.013 billion KRW, including cash, deposits, bonds, office deposits, and vehicles owned by them, were frozen through seizure and confiscation before prosecution.

It was found that the remaining money, excluding the 1.013 billion KRW of the 57 billion KRW criminal proceeds, was all spent on living expenses and other costs.

The police are also investigating the whereabouts of other accomplices, including promoters known as "chongpan" who recruited gambling participants.