S.Korea police arrest 58 over fake Kangwon Land betting sites: report

South Korean police have arrested 58 people accused of operating illegal online gambling websites that used the brand and trademarks of casino operator Kangwon Land Inc, according to local media. The cyber investigation unit of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency said the suspects included a Russian national alleged to have led the group’s operations in South Korea. Five of those arrested were placed in custody, reported on Monday the Korea JoongAng Daily. The group allegedly attracted about 40,000 South Korean users by presenting the websites as an official online gambling platform operated by Kangwon Land inc. The sites made unauthorised use of the casino operator’s logo. The group also allegedly used deepfake videos featuring the faces and voices of well-known athletes to promote the websites via social media, per the report. Kangwon Land Inc operates the Kangwon Land complex in Jeongseon county, Gangwon province. It is the only casino resort in South Korea where the country’s nationals are permitted to gamble. Police stressed that Kangwon Land Inc does not operate an online gambling website. According to Monday’s report, South Korean gamblers deposited approximately KRW78 billion (US$55.1 million) into the illegal websites between October 2022 and August 2025. The suspects allegedly used about 70 bank accounts registered under other people’s names to process deposits and withdrawals, changing the accounts used for betting on a monthly basis in an effort to evade detection, the media outlet said. The websites targeted by police were reportedly licensed in jurisdictions where online gambling is permitted and offered gambling services in 35 languages, including Korean. Police said they would continue pursuing illegal gambling operations that sought to deceive consumers by exploiting the name of a state-run company such as Kangwon Land Inc.