South Korean law enforcement has intensified its efforts to dismantle an alleged extensive illegal gambling network following the arrest of three individuals in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This operation reportedly involves illegal betting activities valued at around KRW3.1 trillion ($2.3 billion). Two of the apprehended suspects, said to be the group's purported deputy and a software developer, were sent back to South Korea from the UAE on Wednesday.
Authorities are now working on the extradition of the suspected leader of the operation. Investigations revealed that the leader and deputy fled South Korea in 2016, establishing the UAE as a base to evade authorities while transferring the proceeds from their gambling activities.
A special interagency task force, including experts from the National Police Agency and the National Intelligence Service, tracked the suspects to the UAE. This initiative, dubbed 'Halak' (meaning 'destruction' in Arabic), was executed in close coordination with UAE authorities, resulting in their arrests.
Further inquiries have connected the group to illegal betting operations in countries such as the Philippines and Malaysia.
The case has reignited attention towards the syndicate's previous marketing strategies, notably a sponsorship deal with Swansea City football club in 2016. BETEAST, an illegal South Korean sports betting platform promoted by the suspects, was featured on the club's shirts during a time when Swansea was competing in the English Premier League. The club described this agreement as its largest front-of-shirt sponsorship ever.
President Lee Jae Myung of South Korea publicly praised the UAE’s cooperation and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for their role in the recent apprehensions. He addressed the matter on X, stating in both Korean and Arabic that the suspects had allegedly targeted vulnerable populations, including middle school students, and had used third-country passports to obscure their identities.
"Criminals cannot escape punishment simply by hiding abroad," he remarked.
