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South Korean Police Bust 111 Million USDT Money Laundering Case, Arrest 23 Linked to Cambodian Scam Syndicate Fund Chain

2026.06.16 16:10:19

June 16 — The Seoul Metropolitan Police in South Korea has arrested 23 suspects, charging them with providing money-laundering services to a Cambodian phishing crime syndicate in exchange for cryptocurrency, with the total involved funds reaching roughly $111 million (about 168 billion South Korean won). Investigators found that between February 2024 and April 2025, the group laundered proceeds from fraud and investment scams by purchasing USDT and transferring funds frequently between South Korean and international crypto exchanges. The operation spanned approximately 265 cases and involved around 11,300 bank and transaction accounts. Law enforcement noted that the network used a sophisticated multi-layered account structure and cross-border transactions to disperse and consolidate illicit funds. Roughly $650,000 (about 43 million South Korean won) in illegal funds has been frozen, but the key mastermind remains at large and has been placed on Interpol’s Red Notice list. Additionally, police arrested 33 people operating illegal foreign exchange services, who also used USDT for underground money-exchange operations among tourists and acquaintances to facilitate fund circulation and evade regulatory oversight.
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