Man arrested for orchestrating 'private revenge' crimes via Telegram

South Korean police have arrested a 20-year-old man suspected of masterminding a series of "private revenge" crimes orchestrated through the Telegram messaging app. The suspect, identified as A, is being investigated on charges including property damage and trespassing.

Authorities allege that A created a Telegram channel in April to recruit individuals for revenge-for-hire operations. These operations involved targeting specific individuals by, for example, throwing waste at their front doors. He reportedly paid approximately 700,000 won (about $500 USD) to each person who carried out these acts.

Following the arrest of two perpetrators in May, A fled to Vietnam, where he remained until his recent apprehension. Police tracked his travel plans and arrested him at Incheon International Airport upon his return to South Korea. Four individuals, including another suspect B who allegedly carried out acts under A's direction, are currently in custody.

This type of "private revenge" crime first emerged in Daegu in August of the previous year and has since spread nationwide, with over 80 cases reported across various cities and provinces. The modus operandi typically involves targeting individuals based on personal grudges or debt issues, with payments made to the orchestrators via cryptocurrency. Police are expanding their investigations to identify additional masterminds and clients involved in these schemes.