Koreans nabbed for online gambling racket

SIX South Koreans were arrested for allegedly running an illegal online gambling ring in barangay Kamputhaw, Cebu City yesterday.

The suspects identified as Dong Chul, 28; Jaehak Han, 24; Moonoh Kim, 31; Seungyeop Oh, 34; Kiwon So, 34; and Zu Mao Rum, 30 were arrested in their rented condominium units in Winland Towers.

Operatives of the Regional Special Operation Group (RSOG) led by Supt. Harry Domingo, deputy chief of the Regional Intelligence Division (RID) served a search warrant issued by Regional Trail Court Judge Sylva Aguirre-Paderanga.

The court issued a search warrant against Muncki Beck, the alleged online gambling operator.

Seized from their condominium units were 10 central processing units (CPUs), computer monitors, keyboards, laptops, cellular phones, calculators, other computer gadgets and bank books.

Chief Insp. George Ylanan, RSOG chief, said the six Koreans were caught redhanded taking bets online.

He said police previously arrested South Koreans engaged in the same operation in Lapu-Lapu City last August.

Ylanan said most of the suspects’ clients were fellow South Koreans as well as from other countries.

He said the operators would receive bets through credit cards.

Teh bettors made wagers on results of various sports like basketball and softball.

The Koreans didn’t resist arrest.

“Kahibaw man sila nga illegal (They knew what they were doing was illegal),” said the RSOG chief.

The six South Koreans were detained at Camp Sergio Osmeña detention cell pending the filing of charges for violation of Republic Act 9287 or the law increasing the penalties for illegal numbers games. Correspondent Chito Aragon