South Korean police dismantle Vietnam-based gambling ring that handled $45.6 million in bets

South Korean police have referred 118 people to prosecutors over an alleged illegal gambling operation based in Vietnam that processed KRW63 billion ($45.6 million) in wagers and attracted more than 3,500 users.

South Korea’s Chungbuk Provincial Police Agency has dismantled an alleged illegal online gambling operation run from Vietnam, referring 13 suspected operators and 105 high-volume gamblers to prosecutors. Police announced the results of the investigation on August 25, saying the platform had handled approximately KRW63 billion ($45.6 million) in deposits.

Investigators allege that the group established an office in Vietnam in April 2024 and operated the gambling platform for around ten months. The site offered baccarat, slot-style games and illegal sports betting to users in South Korea. The 13 people accused of running the operation include a suspected ringleader in his 30s.

The network allegedly recruited customers through promotional text messages and internet banner advertising. Police say a total of 3,553 people registered with the platform, generating the KRW63 billion in deposits over the period investigated. One individual was found to have wagered as much as KRW1.3 billion.

Rather than referring every registered player for prosecution, investigators identified 105 people classified as heavy gamblers and forwarded their cases alongside those of the alleged operators. All 118 individuals were referred without physical detention on charges including operating an illegal gambling venue and violations of South Korea’s National Sports Promotion Act.

The financial investigation played an important role in identifying the network. Police analysed transaction records associated with more than 200 bank accounts believed to have been connected to the operation after receiving intelligence about the group in September 2025. Authorities have also obtained a pre-indictment preservation order covering approximately KRW186.35 million in suspected criminal proceeds.

Police say most of the alleged operators have now been identified, but another suspected ringleader remains at large. The investigation is continuing as authorities attempt to locate that individual and establish whether additional people or financial channels were connected with the operation.

The case is the latest example of South Korean authorities targeting gambling organisations that establish their operational infrastructure overseas while serving customers in Korea. Recent investigations have increasingly focused not only on shutting down platforms but also on tracing payment accounts, identifying high-volume players and pursuing organisers based abroad.

For regulators and enforcement agencies, the Vietnam case highlights the cross-border nature of illegal online gambling and the importance of financial intelligence in dismantling such networks. The $45.6 million figure represents the amount wagered or deposited through the platform, rather than the operators’ confirmed profit, an important distinction as the criminal proceedings continue.