Seoul screen-golf fraud ring drugged drinks, tampered devices to rig outcomes
Two men in their 50s were arrested by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on charges of fraud and violations of the Narcotics Control Act for a scheme that manipulated a gambling-style game at screen golf venues. Seven associates from the same golf clubs were handed to prosecutors without detention.
The police said the group operated from December last year for about three months across screen golf facilities in the Seoul metropolitan area, taking about 74 million won from a 60-something businessman in 10 rounds of play.
investigators said the ring targeted high-net-worth or well-connected players who frequented golf clubs and driving ranges, approaching the businessman naturally to participate in multiple pay-to-play screen golf sessions. Some suspects reportedly used lorazepam by obtaining prescriptions, citing insomnia as a pretext.
According to the court, when a victim stepped away or paused during play, other members would drug the drinks or swap in cups pre-filled with drugs, while a USB receiver was pre-installed on the center PC. When the victim turned his head to swing, a remote was used to secretly adjust the on-screen aiming reticle, causing the losses.
The victim alerted police after noticing recurring poor results and suspicious activity during the games. Police began the investigation in May last year. Prosecutors said the lead offenders had prior records for similar methods, and officers recovered videos the victim had secretly filmed during play along with other evidence.
Police said they are examining whether there were additional victims or other crimes connected to the case. The two arrested suspects remain in custody, while the seven co-conspirators were transferred to prosecutors without detention.
Why this matters beyond Korea: the case highlights security risks at physical gaming venues that rely on digital betting platforms. The use of tampered hardware and drugging to influence outcomes shows how cyber-physical fraud can target entertainment and gambling ecosystems, with implications for any market offering screen-based gaming or esport betting. For U.S. readers, it underscores the importance of robust on-site security, device integrity controls, and anti-fraud measures at venues or platforms that combine live games with digital wagering, as well as ongoing attention to narcotics enforcement and criminal schemes in the burgeoning cross-border digital entertainment economy.