20 ARRESTED IN PHILIPPINES ONLINE GAMBLING SWOOP

Monday, September 26, 2011 :  Police allege Korean organised crime involvement in live dealer activities
 
The Philippines police have been busy over the weekend, with a spokesman for the National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group announcing that a series of late night raids led to 20 arrests involving a Korean Jopok organised crime cell operating illegal online blackjack casinos in Pasig City.
 
CIDG Director Samuel Pagdilao Jr. claimed during a news conference that six organised crime soldiers of the Dragon Assassins clan of the Korean Jopok, along with 14 Philippino associates, were caught red handed operating a series of internet baccarat and blackjack casinos online.
 
The raids were supported by search warrants signed off by Judge Marino Santo Ramirez Dela Cruz.
 
Director Pagdilao identified the arrested Koreans as Lee Dewook, 41, who is assumed to be the Jopok lieutenant of this group based on the total number of his tattoos; Mini Ji Su, 25, An Bong Hee, 36, Cho Hyun Woo, 31, Jean Miae, 36, and Kin Jungho, 29.
 
All those arrested refused to communicate with the arresting officers, who confiscated six blackjack and baccarat tables, six cartons of playing cards as well as CCTV, videostreaming and audio equipment. Eighteen state-of-the-art computers were also seized.
 
Police speculate that the casino allowed online blackjack card game players to play a ‘live dealer' version of blackjack and baccarat where online gamblers see a human dealer on their screens.
 
The suspects will be charged with violations of local anti-illegal gambling laws.