South Korean police have dismantled an illegal online gambling ring worth US$2.8bn that used deepfake videos of celebrities to attract players. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

Police in South Korea have arrested 13 people and shut down an illegal online gambling operation reportedly worth US$2.8bn. Law enforcement detained another 37 suspects, including the alleged mastermind.

The operation’s servers were in other nations like Thailand and the Philippines, with the ringleaders running the scheme through offices in Gyeonggi, Bucheon, and Incheon.

changing the voices and faces of celebrities to make it look like they were advocating for the gambling site

Suspects used deepfake videos to promote their gambling platform, changing the voices and faces of celebrities to make it look like they were advocating for the gambling site. They also gained exposure through YouTube streams.

A complex payments network aimed to throw the authorities off their scent. Investigators believe the ringleaders profited about ₩300bn (US$214m); the head honcho bought a sports car, a luxury watch, and an apartment with the funds. Law enforcement seized assets worth about ₩10bn (US$7m), including cash, luxury goods, and real estate.

A Philippines-based website operator faces extradition to South Korea after police arrested him in July in collaboration with Interpol. Finally, 107 users of the illegal gambling site, some of whom are underage, face gambling-related charges.