A 12-member crime syndicate from South Korea has been arrested by the authorities after it allegedly went after rich individuals and extorted over $850,000 with the use of fixed casino games and fake overseas golf tours. One suspect is still at large, prompting an international Interpol Red Notice.
South Korean police have dismantled a sophisticated criminal network that lured rich golfers on international trips before fleecing them in a calculated mix of manipulated casino games, faux crimes, and high-stakes extortion.
The International Crime Investigation Unit of the Gyeonggi Southern Police Agency confirmed the arrest of 12 suspects, including the group's ringleader, identified only as 60-year-old 'Mr. A.' Authorities say the syndicate's schemes ran from late 2022 to mid-2024 and targeted at least six affluent victims, extracting nearly 1.19 billion Won ($850,000) in total.
Golf trips as the perfect bait
The operation began in November of 2022 when Mr. A befriended a wealthy businessman during a golf event. According to court documents, the suspect secretly installed a GPS tracker on the car of the businessman, enabling the gang to monitor his movements and plan their approach.
Mr. A later told the businessman he had won an all-expenses-paid trip to Thailand to celebrate a supposed 'hole-in-one.' The promise of luxury golf experiences abroad proved irresistible - but it was merely the first step in the trap. Once in Thailand, the group kept up appearances by playing rounds of golf with their target. Behind the scenes, however, they were laying the groundwork for a sextortion plot.
Investigators say the victim was encouraged to engage in sexual acts with a woman, only to later be told she was underage. Under pressure and fearing prosecution, the businessman paid 240 million Won (about $172,000) to make the problem 'disappear.'
Rigged casinos in Cambodia
Between 2023 and 2024, the group also expanded its operations, targeting more wealthy golfers they met at driving ranges across South Korea. The victims were flown to Cambodia under the guise of exclusive golf outings - but were soon steered toward casinos where the games were secretly manipulated.
Police say corrupt casino employees worked alongside the syndicate to ensure the victims lost substantial sums. In one particularly elaborate ruse, the criminals staged a fake kidnapping, convincing a victim that his associate was being held hostage. The man paid 680 million Won (about $490,000) in a single transaction to secure the associate's release - an associate who, in reality, was never in danger.
A classic 'setup crime'
Authorities describe the scheme as a textbook example of a 'setup crime,' a tactic in which victims are framed as criminals to pressure them into paying. The strategy relies heavily on the fear of legal repercussions, discouraging victims from reporting the crime.
"Demanding money by invoking the possibility of criminal prosecution is clearly extortion," the Gyeonggi police said in a statement. "Do not comply, and report it immediately." The investigation also uncovered the group's reliance on GPS surveillance to track their targets and the assistance of at least one casino insider who facilitated the fraudulent games.
International manhunt ongoing
While 12 members of the network are now in custody, one suspect - a South Korean citizen who coordinated the overseas aspects of the scheme - remains at large. His passport has been revoked, and authorities have asked for an Interpol Red Notice to aid in his capture and extradition.
Police are urging the public, especially affluent individuals who travel for leisure, to be cautious when accepting invitations to events abroad. If something sounds too good to be true, it often is, an investigator noted. The case has sparked renewed calls in South Korea for increased awareness of transnational fraud schemes that prey on personal reputations, privacy fears, and the allure of luxury travel.
