Two suspects extradited from UAE to South Korea over illegal gambling

• The UAE extradited two suspects to South Korea in a massive joint operation against illegal gambling
• One of the suspects is accused of running an illegal gambling ring valued at $327m while the other one allegedly ran a separate gambling website worth $3.14bn
• Both suspects are facing serious charges and if convicted, may spend significant time behind bars

Two people suspected of being involved in the operation of separate illegal gambling syndicates were recently extradited from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to South Korea.

The extradition marks the culmination of a lengthy international cooperation between authorities in several countries.

Cross-border investigation results in arrest of two suspected ringleaders

Both suspects were arrested in the UAE after a comprehensive investigation, joint cooperation and intelligence sharing between the country and South Korea.

One of the individuals is accused of running an illegal gambling ring worth an estimated 500bn won, or $327m.

This gambling website targeted school children and lured them into gambling, local media outlets suggest.

On the other hand, the second suspect is accused of operating a cross-border gambling website worth an estimated 4.8 trillion won, or the mind-blowing $3.14bn.

Besides operating a multi-billion-dollar illegal gambling syndicate, the suspect is accused of not paying 66bn won ($43.1m) in taxes.

Further allegations claim the gambling website ringleader was involved in prostitution and drug distribution, among other crimes.

This illegal cross border gambling syndicate generated significant proceeds which were subsequently laundered in countries across Southeast Asia.

The same suspect has been on the run for more than a decade, successfully evading authorities in Malaysia, Cambodia, the Philippines and other countries in the region.

If convicted on all serious charges, including illegal gambling, money laundering, drug and prostitution-related offenses, the suspect may face a penalty including decades behind bars, massive financial penalties, seizure of assets and criminal proceeds.

In the case of the other person that is suspected of operating a 500bn won gambling syndicate, he can also face a lengthy prison sentence, significant financial penalties, as well as forfeiture of ill-gained profits and seizure of assets.

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