Ulsan: Twelve people have been referred to the prosecution and five others have been red-noticed globally on suspicion of operating an illegal online gambling site, handling over 60 billion won (US$43.36 million) in stakes, police said Monday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the 17 suspects, all in their 20s and 30s, are accused of amassing more than 3 billion won in criminal proceeds by running illicit sports betting, online casino, and slot game platforms between November 2022 and July 2025 in areas including Incheon, west of Seoul, and the southeastern city of Ulsan.

The suspects allegedly sought to deceive users into participating by streaming YouTube live broadcasts that falsely portrayed high win rates and substantial payouts. To enhance visibility, they reportedly utilized a self-developed traffic manipulation program and established a dedicated promotion team. This team was responsible for inflating view counts and real-time viewer numbers, propelling their promotional videos to the top of YouTube search and recommendation feeds.

Police launched their investigation in March last year following a tip-off, which led to tracking down the suspects' operational bases. During their operations, they seized crucial evidence such as burner phones, dummy bank accounts, and computers.

After an 18-month manhunt, authorities successfully identified and apprehended twelve suspects sequentially. Additionally, police obtained an arrest warrant and requested an Interpol Red Notice for the five remaining suspects believed to be at large in Thailand.

A police official stated, "We will track down the suspects who fled overseas to the bitter end through international cooperation."