An organized crime network, which has been running an illegal online gambling operation aimed at students and sailors, has been dismantled by the South Korean police on Jeju Island.

Alleged bets whose worth has approximated over KRW 22 billion (around $15.3 million) had gone through the organization.

21 individuals suspected of being members of the crime network have been apprehended by the Jeju Provincial Police.

Among them, a 40-year-old man had been identified as the ringleader.

The ringleader, as well as 5 others, have had charges brought against them, while 15 others have simply been released.

An additional 39 people have been arrested, among them are minors and gamblers.

The network had been operating between October 2024 and July 2025.

The Ringleader and 12 others had been using locations near schools, two internet cafes, and a villa, as primary locations for the operation.

The organization additionally had been lending money to students at interest rates as high as 650%, with one student having borrowed KRW 11 million ($7,600).

The amount suspected to have been made through the three locations is approximately KRW 9.2 billion ($6.4 million), with  KRW 250 million ($174,000) more having been seized during a raid by the police.

A Gambling Hotspot

Other illegal gambling organizations have been identified on the island.

A betting den has been uncovered, which had been targeting sailors.

Their operation had been running from June 2024 to February 2025.

Another group based in Seongwoo had allegedly been running similar schemes in 2023.

An investigation has been pursuing the mastermind behind the illegal online network.

Authorities suspect he has either set up in Vietnam or some other Southeast Asian country, from where they can coordinate operations linked with high-stakes gamblers located in South Korea.

Response from the Authorities

A statement has been made by an official of Jeju Island:

“The crackdown on illegal gambling sites is continuous, and we will take a strict stance, especially given the risks to teenagers”.

He had also added that illegally obtained money would be returned to its rightful owners.

The public has been warned not to share bank accounts or to transfer money on behalf of other people, as that could get them arrested for assisting in laundering money.

This operation has shown the world how seriously South Korea is taking illegal gambling as well as the safety of its people..