A criminal group has been arrested by the Seoul Metropolitan Police for drugging victims' drinks during high-stakes golf games, leading to substantial financial losses for the victims. The gang, comprising nine members, allegedly used methods such as mixing psychoactive substances in drinks and remotely altering the screen direction of golf simulators to manipulate game outcomes. The investigation revealed that one victim lost approximately 74 million won, prompting the police to anticipate that there may be additional unidentified victims.

The scam involved the group targeting affluent-looking individuals in golf clubs and gatherings, fostering friendships by leveraging shared interests. During the betting games, several accomplices would engage the victim's attention while another member would drug the victim's drink or swap it with a tainted cup. Additionally, they coordinated efforts to distract the victim at critical moments, manipulating the golf simulator to create advantageous conditions for themselves while ensuring that the victim remained unaware of the foul play taking place.

The police started the investigation after a victim reported experiencing unusual physical symptoms during a betting golf game, prompting suspicion of foul play. Through video evidence captured by the victim and thorough investigation, authorities were able to establish corroborating evidence for the charges. The use of controlled psychoactive substances like lorazepam not only signifies a severe breach of ethical conduct but also raises concerns about the direct threats to victims’ health and safety, placing this case in a more serious category compared to regular scam crimes.