South Korean police have dismantled an illegal online gambling syndicate that handled transactions worth KRW 44bn (US$31.8m), according to The Chosun Daily. Authorities confirmed that the group operated from Cambodia to evade domestic enforcement.
The Daegu National Police Agency’s Cybercrime Investigation Team announced on 10 September that they arrested ten suspects. Officers detained seven individuals, including the alleged ringleader identified only as “A,” a man in his 30s. Police charged the group with violating the National Sports Promotion Act.
Operation details
Investigators revealed that the syndicate ran the operation between February 2022 and July 2023. The platform facilitated large-scale illegal betting on games such as Sports Toto and Baccarat. More than 11,000 users joined, while the group managed deposits, withdrawals, surveillance and member accounts through a strict hierarchy.
Authorities noted that members frequently travelled in and out of Cambodia on tourist visas while coordinating activities from a local office. Police first detected the operation in November 2023 through ongoing digital surveillance.
Arrests and seizures
By July 2025, officers began making arrests. They seized KRW 270m in cash during raids and froze an additional KRW 120m from suspect A’s accounts under a pre-indictment asset preservation order.
Police also filed non-custodial charges against 174 individuals who placed bets through the platform.
Ongoing crackdown
Officials confirmed that enforcement efforts will continue until 31 October, with a focus on illegal operators and high-stakes gamblers. Moreover, investigators are working with Interpol to pursue fugitives who fled overseas.
Authorities stressed that the crackdown highlights South Korea’s growing resolve to combat cross-border gambling operations.
