World · East Asia & Pacific · 2 hrs ago
15 arrested over $1.9 million dating-site scam based in Vietnam
South Korean police arrested 15 people over a fake dating-site scam run from Vietnam.
The group allegedly posted false social media ads offering paid meetings and drew men to fake websites.
It is accused of demanding membership and identity-check fees, then asking for more money to fix supposed server problems.
The group allegedly took about 2.6 billion won from 34 men between August 2024 and March 2025.
Police say the South Korean suspects worked in separate teams, and seven people, including the alleged leader, have been jailed; authorities also secured a court order to preserve about 530 million won in suspected criminal proceeds.
Eight other members fled to Vietnam, and police say they will work with authorities abroad to find them.
South Korean police arrested 15 people over a fake dating-site scam that allegedly took about 2.6 billion won from 34 men.
The group allegedly lured men through false social media ads and demanded membership, verification and server-recovery fees.
Seven suspects, including the alleged leader, were detained.
Police said the group operated from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and divided tasks among advertising, deception and website-making teams.
The alleged leader was arrested in Vietnam in August 2025 and returned to South Korea.
- Who
- Fifteen South Korean suspects were arrested; police said all were South Korean.
- What
- They allegedly took about 2.6 billion won from 34 men through a fake dating-site scam. Seven suspects were detained.
- When
- The alleged scam ran from August 2024 to March 2025. Police announced the arrests on November 3, 2026.
- Where
- The group allegedly operated from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and targeted men through social media.
- Why
- To defraud victims by demanding fees for membership, verification and supposed server repairs.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The group allegedly posted fake dating ads and took money from 34 men.
The alleged leader was arrested in Vietnam through international cooperation and returned to South Korea.
Police announced that 15 people had been arrested and seven detained.
- Suspects arrested
- 15
- Suspects detained
- 7
- Victims
- 34 men
- Alleged proceeds
- About 2.6 billion won
- Alleged operating base
- Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Alleged leader’s assets
- About 530 million won subject to pre-indictment confiscation preservation
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