Mastermind Behind 590 Billion Won Illegal Gambling Sites Extradited From Thailand and Sent to Prosecution

[Financial News] The mastermind who operated multiple illegal online gambling sites worth a combined 590 billion won and fled overseas has been arrested in Thailand, extradited to Korea, and handed over to prosecutors.
The Cyber Investigation Division, Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said on the 8th that it had extradited from Thailand and referred to prosecutors, under arrest, a suspect identified only as A, the ringleader who ran seven illegal online gambling sites worth about 590 billion won.
From October 2019 to October 2023, A and his accomplices allegedly opened seven illegal sports betting and casino websites, recruited about 15,000 members, and operated gambling services that handled a total of 590 billion won in deposits through more than 110 bank accounts.
Police received intelligence in March 2023 and, through analysis of the bank accounts used for gambling funds and on-the-ground inquiries, identified the organization’s domestic office. In October that year, they arrested nine accomplices and detained four of them.
During the investigation, officers seized 1.017 billion won in cash and obtained pre-indictment preservation orders for an additional 1.64 billion won, recovering a total of 2.657 billion won in criminal proceeds.
Police then continued to arrest site operators and gamblers involved in the scheme, ultimately apprehending 43 people in total, including A, who had fled overseas.
The investigation found that the group purchased databases of members from other gambling sites and stock-tipping chat rooms online, then randomly called or texted people to recruit them. They also managed members by sending mobile gift coupons and other perks to encourage frequent use of the gambling sites.
The proceeds from the gambling operation were mostly kept in cash, with minimal use of bank accounts, in an effort to avoid exposing their identities. Accomplices were mainly recruited from among school friends and acquaintances, communicated via Telegram, and frequently moved their offices to evade investigation.
A, who had fled overseas, was confirmed to be staying in Thailand and was being tracked in cooperation with Interpol when he was arrested by local Thai police in December 2024 on charges of illegal stay. Although A requested deportation to a third country, Korean police initiated extradition proceedings, brought him back to Korea on the 30th of last month, and referred him to prosecutors under arrest on the 6th.
SMPA stated, "We will continue to strengthen intelligence gathering on cyber gambling offenders and relentlessly track those who flee overseas, responding with strict enforcement."
jyseo@fnnews.com Seo Ji-yoon Reporter