Prosecutors Seek 20 to 35 Years in Prison for Members of Thai "Lungker Company" Phishing Organization

Prosecutors have requested prison sentences ranging from 20 to 35 years for Korean nationals who were members of the Thai criminal organization "Lungker Company," which originated in Cambodia.

Supreme Prosecutors' Office, Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

On February 2, during a trial at the 12th Criminal Division of the Seoul Southern District Court, prosecutors sought a 35-year prison sentence for Mr. A (age 30), a team leader-level member, on charges including joining and participating in a criminal organization.

Prosecutors also requested that the court sentence Mr. B and Mr. C, both men in their 20s who were indicted and detained alongside Mr. A, to 20 years and 30 years in prison, respectively. Additionally, they sought the forfeiture of 9.6 million won from Mr. A and 9 million won from Mr. C.

The prosecution stated, "The defendants participated in the crimes with full awareness at the core of the voice phishing operation," and emphasized, "Given the need to eradicate organized phishing crimes, severe punishment is necessary."

Regarding Mr. A in particular, the prosecution noted, "He was involved for a very long period, served as the leader of the romance scam team, and attempted to downplay his crimes during the trial, raising doubts about his genuine remorse."

In his final statement, Mr. A said, "I have seen news of my accomplices being sentenced to prison. I know I cannot avoid severe punishment, but I humbly ask for leniency so that I will not have to wait too long to see my family again."

Mr. B also tearfully stated, "I cried a lot after seeing my mother cry. My sister and brother-in-law are here in court today, and I promise never to go near anything illegal again and to live honestly."

Mr. A and others were brought to trial on charges of joining the "Thai Lungker Company," a newly formed criminal group established by former members of a Cambodian border-area crime syndicate who relocated to Thailand, and committing crimes between December 2024 and June of the previous year. They operated within the organization’s "Lotto Compensation Coin Scam Team" and "Military Unit and Civilian Impersonation No-Show Team." In Mr. A’s case, investigations found he defrauded 15 billion won from 691 victims.

They also stand accused of deceiving three victims by promising returns from private equity fund investments and stealing approximately 530 million won, as well as engaging in so-called "no-show scams" that disrupted restaurant operations.

Previously, members of the Lungker Company were apprehended and extradited to Korea after diplomatic authorities, responding to a report that "a son was being held captive in Thailand," requested cooperation from Thai police.