Gangwon police book 34 suspects over accounts supplied to illegal gambling operators
In short
Police in South Korea's Gangwon province said on October 14 that they had booked 34 suspects in a scheme supplying bank accounts to illegal gambling-site operators. Investigators said 32 accounts were obtained after acquaintances were promised about 1.5 million won per account.
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Police in South Korea's Gangwon province said on October 14 that they had booked 34 suspects in connection with bank accounts supplied to organisations operating illegal gambling websites. The provincial police's metropolitan crime investigation unit said the suspects comprised 12 alleged account distributors and 22 people who supplied accounts in their names. The alleged recruitment leader was identified only as A, aged 22. [ 2 , 3 ]
Investigators said the group approached local acquaintances from last year through April this year and promised about 1.5 million won for each newly opened financial account. The group is suspected of collecting 32 accounts in this way and handing them to illegal gambling-site operators. Police began investigating after receiving a tip about account recruitment and distribution. Over about six months, they analysed mobile phones used in the alleged scheme and related accounts to identify the distributors and account holders. [ 2 , 4 ]
The suspects were booked on suspicion of violating the Electronic Financial Transactions Act. Kyunghyang Shinmun reported that all 34 were booked without detention in this case, but that A was already in custody over a similar case. Chosun Ilbo likewise reported that A was already detained on the same type of allegation. The latter said most suspects were aged 19 to 20. Gangwon police chief Gwak Byeong-u (곽병우) warned that trading financial accounts or mobile phones for payment can be punishable and urged people to refuse such requests and report them to police. Maeil Business reported that police intended to continue enforcement against account-distribution crimes. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Why it matters
Police say accounts opened in other people's names were supplied to criminal gambling operations. They warned that trading accounts or mobile phones for payment can lead to punishment and urged people to reject and report such requests.
Key facts
- Police booked 12 alleged account distributors and 22 account holders on suspicion of violating the Electronic Financial Transactions Act. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The alleged scheme operated from last year through April this year. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Investigators said acquaintances were promised about 1.5 million won for opening each new account. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Police said 32 accounts were supplied to illegal gambling-site operators. [ 2 , 4 ]
- The suspected recruitment leader, identified as A and aged 22, was already in custody over a similar case. [ 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Police announced a case involving 34 suspects and accounts supplied to illegal gambling-site operators. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The alleged recruiters offered about 1.5 million won for each newly opened account. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Investigators analysed phones and accounts over about six months after receiving a tip. [ 2 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- How much money passed through the accounts and whether the promised payments were made. The reports give the recruitment offer and account count but not transaction totals or payment confirmation.