South Korea Arrests 58 in Kangwon Land Impersonation Scam

South Korean cyber police detained 58 people this week in connection with an unnamed illegal iGaming operator that had been impersonating state-run land-based casino Kangwon Land, according to a report by PoliceNews24. Five suspects, including a Russian national identified by police as the leader of the operation's Korean branch, were taken into custody, while the remaining 53 suspects - mostly Russian-origin foreign residents in Korea - remain under investigation without arrest.

Police allege the group operated the scheme from October 2022 to August 2025 through an iGaming site holding an unnamed foreign gambling license, promoting it on Korean social media using Kangwon Land branding and deepfake videos featuring the faces and voices of well-known athletes. Investigators say approximately 40,000 Korean users registered on the site, with total deposits reaching roughly $55.2 million. To process payments, the group reportedly used more than 70 fraudulent bank accounts, rotating them on a monthly basis. A court fully granted a request to seize approximately $1.06 million in criminal proceeds tied to the case.

The case highlights the continued use of brand impersonation and deepfake technology by illegal gambling operators targeting the South Korean market, where online gambling remains tightly restricted outside licensed state operations like Kangwon Land. Authorities are expected to continue pursuing the remaining suspects as the investigation proceeds.