Two Administrators of Illegal Video Site with 540,000 Members Arrested at Airport for Secretly Filming Acquaintances and Partners

Returned to Korea After Staying in Thailand

Following Passport Invalidation

Two administrators of an illegal website distributing secretly filmed videos of family members, romantic partners, and others have been arrested by the police.

According to Yonhap News Agency on May 11, the Cyber Investigation Unit of the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency apprehended two suspects, including Mr. A, at the arrival hall of Incheon International Airport around 6 a.m. that day. The two are currently being investigated as criminal suspects.

The Asia Business Daily DB

The suspects are known to be administrators of the illegal video distribution site 'AVMOV.' After the police investigation began, the group left for Thailand and remained there. However, following diplomatic measures such as passport invalidation, they expressed their intention to voluntarily return to Korea through their lawyer.

However, the police stated that since the suspects expressed their intention to return only after arrest warrants had been issued, this does not qualify as 'voluntary surrender,' which is considered a mitigating factor under the Criminal Procedure Act.

Previously, the police identified nine suspects believed to be part of the site's management and booked them on charges of violating the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment, etc. of Sexual Crimes. Of these, five have had their residences and other locations searched, resulting in the seizure and analysis of PCs and other related evidence. The police also plan to soon conduct a compulsory investigation against one additional suspect.

Three members of the group had left the country, but two, including Mr. A, returned to Korea and were apprehended by the police. The authorities are continuing to track the remaining suspect abroad through diplomatic and other measures.

The website managed by the group was launched in August 2022. It was found that users shared secretly filmed videos of acquaintances or romantic partners, or downloaded illegal footage using points purchased for a fee. The Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency discovered the site during internal monitoring in December last year and launched an internal investigation. The site had as many as 540,000 registered members before being blocked and made inaccessible.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.