Key Moments:
- Daegu police arrested ten suspects tied to an illicit gambling ring funneling ₩44 billion from Cambodia
- The operation ran from February 2022 to July 2023, amassing over 11,000 users and seizing ₩270 million in cash
- Authorities collaborated with Interpol and filed charges against both operators and 174 identified users
Police Uncover Large-Scale Operation Tied to Cambodia
The Daegu National Police Agency’s Cybercrime Investigation Team announced the arrests of ten individuals connected to a significant illegal online gambling operation that handled ₩44 billion in Cambodia-based transactions. Seven of the suspects, including the person identified as the ringleader, have been formally detained.
This syndicate operated between February 2022 and July 2023, recruiting more than 11,000 users onto illicit platforms that included Sports Toto and Baccarat offerings. Law enforcement reported seizing ₩270 million in cash, and an additional ₩120 million was frozen in various suspect accounts.
Use of Tourist Visas Enabled Covert Operations
Syndicate members frequently traveled between South Korea and Cambodia under the guise of tourist visas, allowing them to stay under the radar of local authorities. Operational command was run from a Cambodian office, with clearly established roles for managing financial transactions, surveillance, and membership.
Investigators first picked up the trail of this network in November 2023, utilizing continuous digital surveillance. The suspects now face charges under the National Sports Promotion Act, which bans unauthorized sports betting and casino games.
Law enforcement extended non-custodial charges to 174 participants identified as users of the illegal betting services. This development forms part of an ongoing crackdown targeting payment firms linked to unauthorized gambling ventures.
South Korea Intensifies Cross-Border Enforcement
The crackdown’s cross-border dimension resulted in authorities working alongside Interpol to pursue suspects who escaped overseas, with operational efforts scheduled to proceed until 31 October. Focus remains on dismantling both operator networks and high-rollers engaged with offshore gambling sites.
This effort follows a June law enforcement campaign that took down a ₩84 billion gambling enterprise, highlighting persistent action against sprawling cross-border gambling syndicates.
Broader enforcement strategies illustrate South Korea’s intention to bolster its regulatory landscape amid calls for reform and increasing competition in the legal gambling industry.
Enforcement Action Targets Both Operators and Players
The operation demonstrates the substantial size and complexity illegal gambling networks can achieve, drawing user bases into the thousands by leveraging jurisdictions with limited regulatory oversight. The authorities’ decision to file non-custodial charges against 174 users illustrates a commitment to address both the operation of and participation in unauthorized gambling.
These ongoing efforts highlight the enforcement hurdles that remain within South Korea’s existing gambling laws, especially as many operations relocate overseas to take advantage of laxer regulatory environments.
| Key Figures | Value / Number |
|---|---|
| Total Transaction Volume | ₩44,000,000,000 |
| Cash Seized | ₩270,000,000 |
| Frozen Accounts | ₩120,000,000 |
| Total Users Recruited | 11,000+ |
| Users Charged | 174 |
| Suspects Arrested | 10 |
- Author
Daniel Williams
