Four people have been arrested in South Korea for allegedly hacking over 120,000 video cameras in homes and businesses and using the footage to create sexually exploitative materials for an overseas website.
Police announced the arrests on Sunday, stating that the perpetrators exploited vulnerabilities in Internet Protocol (IP) cameras, particularly through the use of simple passwords.
These home cameras, commonly used for security purposes, connect to the internet and are intended to monitor the safety of children, pets, and property.
According to reports, the hacked devices included cameras in private residences, karaoke rooms, a Pilates studio, and a gynecologist's clinic.
A statement from South Korea's National Police Agency noted that the four suspects operated independently and did not collaborate with each other.
One suspect is accused of hacking 63,000 cameras and producing 545 exploitative videos, which he sold for 35 million won (approximately $12,235 or £9,250) worth of virtual assets. Another suspect allegedly hacked 70,000 cameras and sold 648 videos for 18 million won in assets.
These two individuals were responsible for about 62% of the videos posted in the last year on a website dedicated to illegally distributing hacking footage.
Police are actively working to shut down this website and are collaborating with international agencies to investigate its operator. Additionally, three individuals suspected of purchasing and viewing the illicit material have been arrested.
Park Woo-hyun, cyber investigation chief at the National Police Agency, stated, IP camera hacking and illegal filming inflict immense suffering on victims and are therefore serious offences. We will eradicate them through vigorous investigations. He added that viewing and possessing illegally filmed videos are also serious offenses that will be actively investigated.
Authorities have reached out to 58 victim locations to inform them of the incidents and provide guidance on changing their access passwords. They are assisting victims in deleting and blocking unauthorized content, and working to identify others who may have been affected.
The National Police Agency emphasized the need for individuals using IP cameras in homes or businesses to remain vigilant and to regularly change their access passwords.
Additional reporting by Leehyun Choi
