South Korean authorities are intensifying their campaign against an alleged international illegal gambling operation following the arrest of three suspects in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Authorities uncovered an extensive illegal betting scheme with an estimated value of KRW3.1 trillion, equivalent to approximately $2.3 billion. Among the arrested were two individuals believed to be the syndicate’s deputy leader and a software developer, both of whom were repatriated to South Korea from the UAE on Wednesday.
Authorities are also working to extradite the suspected ringleader, who, along with the deputy, reportedly fled South Korea in 2016. The duo has used the UAE as a strategic base for avoiding detection and laundering proceeds from their gambling activities.
The dedicated interagency task force from South Korea, which includes expertise from the National Police Agency and the National Intelligence Service, traced the suspects to the UAE. This operation, named ‘Halak’—meaning ‘destruction’ in Arabic—was executed in close cooperation with UAE authorities, resulting in the arrests.
Further investigations have tied the group's actions to illegal betting operations in both the Philippines and Malaysia. This case has renewed scrutiny of the syndicate’s previous marketing strategies, including a sponsorship deal with Swansea City football club. In 2016, BETEAST, the illegal South Korean sports betting site linked to these suspects, became Swansea's largest front-of-shirt sponsor during the club's season in the English Premier League, with advertising displayed at the club’s stadium.
In response to the recent arrests, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung expressed his gratitude for the UAE’s cooperation, particularly acknowledging Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's role. President Lee addressed the issue on X, highlighting that the suspects allegedly targeted at-risk individuals, including middle school students, while using third-country passports to mask their identities. He firmly stated, “Criminals cannot escape punishment simply by hiding abroad.”
