The police in Ulsan, South Korea, have arrested a gang involved in operating iGaming websites with a total betting volume of $47 million.
Eight members of the criminal group were detained, with seven of them arrested on charges of organizing the operations of two iGaming sites, including Top Cafe. The name of the second brand has not been disclosed. Both sites operated from January 2020 to February 2026, masquerading as gaming portals, attracting over 1,000 registered users.
Users funded their accounts by transferring money to the gang's bank accounts, which was then credited on the site for playing slots and baccarat. When withdrawing funds, the money was sent back to the players' bank accounts. The group functioned like a company, with roles assigned for management, promotion, payment processing, money laundering, and customer support.
To attract players, the gang placed agents in several regions of the country, including Gyeonggi Province, and installed their software on computers in dozens of adult internet cafes nationwide.
The police received operational information about Top Cafe in June 2025, identified three locations in Seongnam (Gyeonggi Province), and monitored the gang for eight months, analyzing transactions from about 100 related accounts and call records between accomplices.
According to the investigation, the accused used disposable phones, opened accounts under false names, frequently changed locations, and placed servers abroad. Profits were distributed among participants as a fixed percentage of the betting amounts, depending on their roles.
During the arrests, cash amounting to $41,700, presumably obtained through criminal means, and three luxury watches, including a Rolex, were seized. The police also announced plans to confiscate the gang's earnings.