South Korea succeeds in largest ever repatriation of criminals linked to online gambling in the Philippines
South Korea’s National Police Agency has repatriated 49 people from the Philippines after the suspects were accused of fraud, cybercrimes involving illegal online casinos, and embezzlement.
Among the group, 25 were charged with fraud, while 17 were linked to online crime, including illegal gambling. Three others were charged with violent crime, while only one was accused of embezzlement, tax evasion, and sexual offenses.
Notable cases included the operation of an online casino by a criminal organization, which the National Police Agency reports had been worth KRW5.3 trillion since 2018 and generated profits of up to KRW10.7 trillion.
Other crimes involved a two-person gang that extorted money from a Korean tourist using a hand axe, operators of an illegal online gambling site, and a corporate representative who embezzled funds over 16 years.
The combined crimes affected 1,322 citizens and led to combined damages of PHP60.5 billion (US$1.06 billion)1 PHP = 0.0175 USD
2025-09-03Powered by CMG CurrenShift.
The operation involved around 130 personnel, including domestic investigators and medical staff, and over 100 officers at Incheon International Airport to monitor the suspects’ transfer. Forty-five of the group were subject to Interpol Red Notices, and 154 arrest warrants had been issued domestically.
The repatriation was described as “a symbolic achievement in eradicating crime through international cooperation” by the National Police Agency.
Dig deeper
2025/06/20: Police dismantle igaming network in South Korea
2025/05/28: South Korean man charged over North Korean gambling operation
2025/07/30: Philippines online gaming revenues surpass US$2 billion for first time ever in first half of 2025
2025/05/05: Indonesian authorities suspend over 5,000 bank accounts linked to online gambling
Charlotte Capewell brings her passion for storytelling and expertise in writing, researching, and the gambling industry to every article she writes. Her specialties include the US gambling industry, regulator legislation, igaming, and more.
