South Korean Police Dismantle Extortion Ring Targeting Wealthy Gamblers

Major Police Operation Uncovers Extortion Scheme in Casinos

South Korean law enforcement recently apprehended twelve individuals involved in a criminal enterprise that deceived affluent patrons. This group lured victims by inviting them on luxurious international golf vacations, where they were subsequently defrauded out of nearly $850,000 through rigged casino games and coercive tactics.

Details of the Criminal Network and Investigation

The leader of this organization, known only as “Mr. A” and aged 60, was identified by the Gyeonggi Southern Police Agency’s International Crime Investigation Unit. Authorities described the group’s illegal activities as a classic example of “setup crimes,” where innocent parties are framed and threatened to extort money.

During the probe, investigators found evidence of collaboration with a casino insider who facilitated the fraudulent games. They also discovered the use of GPS tracking devices to monitor and manipulate the victims. One key coordinator responsible for overseas operations remains at large, with his travel documents canceled and an Interpol Red Notice issued for his capture and extradition.

Officials cautioned that victims often hesitate to report such crimes due to fear of legal consequences. They clarified that using threats of criminal prosecution to demand money is extortion and encouraged anyone facing such situations to report them promptly.

This crackdown follows ongoing government efforts to combat illegal gambling activities. Recently, authorities concluded investigations into six local payment firms accused of facilitating unlawful gambling transactions.

Modus Operandi of the Extortion Scheme

The scheme reportedly began in November 2022, when Mr. A befriended a wealthy businessman during a golf networking event and secretly attached a GPS tracker to the individual’s vehicle. Subsequently, he informed the victim that he had won an all-expenses-paid golf trip to Thailand as a celebration for a hole-in-one.

While in Thailand, the victim was pressured to engage with a sex worker. The criminals later falsely claimed the woman was underage and demanded roughly KRW 240 million (about $172,000) to resolve the fabricated issue.

Between mid-2023 and mid-2024, this tactic expanded, targeting at least five more affluent targets initially approached at golf driving ranges. These victims were enticed with trips to Cambodia, where they were encouraged to gamble in casinos rigged against them, with the help of corrupt casino staff, resulting in significant financial losses.

In a particularly dramatic incident, the group staged a fake kidnapping, convincing a victim to pay nearly KRW 680 million (around $490,000) after falsely claiming an associate was being held hostage at a casino.

Overall, the ring is believed to have extorted close to KRW 1.19 billion (approximately $850,000) from their victims through these elaborate scams.