SEOUL – South Korean authorities have dismantled a Telegram-based crime ring that sexually exploited 234 individuals, including 159 minors, in one of the country’s largest digital sex crime cases. The operation, active since 2020, used encrypted chatrooms to distribute exploitative content, police revealed Thursday.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s (SMPA) Cybercrime Investigation Unit arrested 14 members of the ring, including the alleged 33-year-old ringleader known as “Pastor.” The ringleader, whose arrest on January 14 marked a major breakthrough in the case, reportedly formed the group in May 2020.
According to SMPA official Oh Kyu-shik, authorities have identified 73 accomplices, 40 of whom are under investigation. One accomplice has been arrested, while efforts are underway to track down the remaining suspects.
The victims, ranging from teenagers to adults, were subjected to horrifying abuse. Among the 159 minors identified, 57 were male and 102 were female. Ten minors were reportedly raped, filmed, and subjected to severe cruelty by the ringleader.
Unlike typical cases that target specific demographics, the group indiscriminately victimised individuals from diverse backgrounds. The perpetrators operated under a hierarchical structure, calling themselves “vigilantes,” and incentivised members to gain promotions by recruiting new victims or creating exploitative content.
Victims were coerced through blackmail, as the group used personal information obtained via Telegram to threaten them into compliance. Many were subjected to gaslighting and psychological manipulation, leaving lasting emotional scars.
The ringleader’s nickname, “Pastor,” was inspired by a character from the Netflix drama Narco-Saints, reflecting the calculated nature of his operations.
The case has drawn comparisons to the infamous “Nth Room” incident, where 73 women were lured into exploitation on Telegram between 2019 and 2020. Its mastermind, Cho Joo-bin, known as “Doctor,” is currently serving a 42-year prison sentence.
The similarities between the two cases highlight the ongoing threat of digital sex crimes in South Korea and the critical need for enhanced online safety measures.
Authorities revealed that accomplices in the case utilised deepfake technology to produce fake pornographic content, further expanding the network’s reach. The SMPA emphasised the growing misuse of advanced technology in facilitating such crimes.
Police have ramped up efforts to combat online exploitation and provide support to victims. The arrests mark a significant step toward dismantling such networks and addressing the vulnerabilities that these crimes exploit.
