Two suspects accused of operating large-scale illegal online gambling networks have been extradited from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to South Korea in a joint international operation. One suspect managed an overseas gambling site valued at 4.8 trillion won (US$3.14 billion) in Southeast Asia, evading arrest for 12 years across various countries like the Philippines, Malaysia, and Cambodia. This suspect is also alleged to have evaded 66 billion won in taxes, engaged in drug-related activities, and facilitated prostitution offenses.
Another suspect is believed to have overseen a separate 500 billion-won gambling site that involved the recruitment of middle and high school students for illicit gambling activities. The extradition of these individuals was facilitated through collaboration with UAE authorities and the suspects were brought back to South Korea through Incheon International Airport. Despite challenges in air transport due to the Middle East conflict, the suspects were repatriated on a UAE carrier with the assistance of extensive international cooperation and intelligence sharing.
Authorities emphasized their commitment to pursuing similar cyber gambling organizations that escape abroad through resolute determination and international coordination. In a previous incident in January, 73 South Korean suspects detained in Cambodia for their alleged involvement in online scam operations were repatriated to South Korea after a joint investigation between South Korean and Cambodian police. These suspects are accused of defrauding 869 South Korean victims of a total of 48.6 billion won (US$33.1 million).
