캄보디아에 콜센터 차려 3400억대 도박누리집 운영…18명 검거

A criminal group in Cambodia has been apprehended for operating a 3.4 billion USD illegal gambling site in conjunction with 256 Korean adult gaming centers, according to police. The Central Investigation Division of the Jeonbuk Police Agency arrested 18 individuals, including the president and local call center employees, for violating laws related to organized crime and the gaming industry.

These suspects were charged with operating online betting sites, including poker, for Cambodian gaming sites after acquiring operating rights from local sites. The police estimate the suspects earned around 12.1 billion USD in illegal profits through 3.4 billion USD in bets. The investigation revealed that the suspects divided roles such as accounting, management, and recruitment teams to carry out operations.

To avoid being tracked, the criminals moved their office in Cambodia regularly, used multiple telephones, cash, and a telegram account to manage their criminal profits. The police obtained this information by tracking leads from a tip-off in October last year about the illegal gambling programs installed in adult gaming centers.

After tracing their bank accounts, the police identified the identities, IP, and phone numbers of the suspects who were living in Cambodia. In April, the police arrested a call center manager who had returned to Cambodia, seizing their mobile phone, computer, and records of bet settlements. The police analyzed the gathered data and arrested 18 suspects, including the main organizer and local management personnel, in a sequential manner.

The police have requested a prosecution and confiscation of assets for the criminal group and plan to take further action against users to prevent illegal gambling sites from being used. The police emphasized that users can also be held liable for participating in illegal gambling activities.