Thai National Arrested and Sent to Prosecutors for Illegal Van Operations and 1 Billion Won in Illicit Gains While Staying Illegally

A Thai national who engaged in unauthorized paid transportation while residing in the country illegally has been arrested and referred to prosecutors.

The Incheon Immigration and Foreigner Office announced today (July 22) that it has arrested and transferred a 36-year-old Thai man, identified by his surname A, to the prosecution on charges of violating the Immigration Act.

A, an undocumented immigrant, is accused of operating an illegal paid transport service, commonly known as a "kol-ttwigi" van, 485 times using a van around Incheon International Airport and other locations from 2022 until recently.

Investigations revealed that he recruited customers through social media platforms such as Facebook and TikTok, charging anywhere from 250,000 won to 550,000 won in transportation fees depending on the distance.

A was also charged with handling 815 online voluntary departure reports on behalf of other undocumented Thai nationals, pocketing commissions ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 won per transaction.

Authorities found that his earnings from these illegal activities amounted to approximately 1 billion won.

Online voluntary departure reports must be filed personally by the individual or by legally qualified administrative scriveners.

Park Jae-wan, head of the Incheon Immigration and Foreigner Office, stated, "Unqualified illegal transportation and administrative agency services are crimes that threaten public safety and undermine the order of foreigners' stay," adding, "We will respond strictly to related offenses to establish a sound residential order for foreigners."

(Photo provided by Incheon Immigration and Foreigner Office, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.