4 Koreans arrested for illegal online operations

CEBU, Philippines — Four Korean nationals were arrested at a condominium in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City on Friday, August 5, 2022, for allegedly engaging in illegal operations, including phishing and scamming other Koreans.

The suspects, Taewong Kang, 42; Jung Ho Won, 41; Kim Dae Hyeon, 36; and Park Ji Sung, 40; were arrested by elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of Lapu-Lapu City and the Mabolo Police - Station 4 in Cebu City.

Authorities implemented the search warrant at the condominium, the address of Kang, the main target of the operation. Kang has been in the Philippines for several years.

What did the suspects do exactly?

"Magpadala sila og link sa atoa and then pag-mo-click ta sa ilahang link, dad-on ta sa ilang site and then adto na ma-hack atong mga account," said P/Capt. Nigel Sanoy.

Aside from this, the suspects also allegedly created game applications that would require registration, targeting players who would invest real money as in-game currency.

Once victims have invested the target amount, the suspects would allegedly shut the application down, ensuring that the victims could no longer take their money back.

The suspects reportedly carried their operations out in the Philippines because they would have a difficult time doing so in South Korea where cybercrime laws are very strict and surveillance technology is much more advanced.

"Kung sa Korea man gud nila ni buhaton, grabe ka high-tech ila, grabe ang cyber securities nila… naa na tay mga ginagmay nga information… hopefully, ma-develop and matrabaho kay luoy ang mga mabiktima ba, either Filipino or Korean Nationals, biktima gihapon," Sanoy said.

CIDG said it started surveillance on the suspects about five months ago in February. Sanoy said they made sure they enough evidence to secure a warrant.

He said the suspects were in a 24/7 rotation with only one person leaving the condominium at night for necessities.

During the operation Friday morning, authorities confiscated 18 CPU units, 14 computer monitors, seven Wifi routers, 30 USBs, nine one-time password generators, 120 sim cards, 11 assorted cellphones, 11 keyboards, eight pieces of mouse, 10 SSD memory cards, and three record books. —Abigail Joyce E. Ecoben /JMO (FREEMAN)