Ringleader of 10 trillion won illegal gambling ring arrested

Police have arrested the alleged mastermind behind a massive illegal online gambling network that facilitated bets totaling approximately 10.3 trillion won (about $7.5 billion). The suspect, identified only as 'A', operated from overseas, with bases in the Philippines and other countries, including Malaysia and Cambodia, after moving call centers to evade domestic investigations.

Authorities report that 'A' ran gambling sites from December 2013 to August 2017, generating around 26 billion won in profits, with personal earnings estimated at 6 billion won. Additionally, from April 2021 to December 2023, 'A' supplied game credits to about 1,400 domestic gambling sites, enabling users to place bets totaling approximately 9 trillion won.

The suspect is also accused of operating a solution distribution business, making it easy for anyone to establish gambling sites by providing website templates, game credit purchasing systems, and server management tools. 'A' allegedly acquired licenses from major overseas gambling sites to supply casino streaming and game credits to these domestic platforms, positioning himself as a top-tier supplier in the illegal online gambling industry.

The Daegu Metropolitan Police Agency's Wide-Area Criminal Investigation Unit, as part of a special task force against transnational crime, collaborated with authorities in the United Arab Emirates to forcibly repatriate 'A' to South Korea on April 4. Police are seeking pre-trial seizure and forfeiture of 'A's criminal proceeds and plan to expand their investigation to key accomplices still at large overseas, potentially adding charges related to criminal organization activities.