[25.12.22] Police Seize ‘AVMOV’ Server with 610,000 Downloads, Expanding Probe to Users

Police Seize ‘AVMOV’ Server with 610,000 Downloads, Expanding Probe to Users

📍Police accelerate tracking of core distributors including the so-called “new release expert,” and expand investigations into paid members and general users

The police have secured server data related to the illegal pornographic site ‘AVMOV,’ which distributed secretly filmed videos involving family members, partners, and acquaintances for profit. With more than 610,000 download records, transaction logs, and IP information confirmed, the investigation is now gaining momentum, and the possibility of criminal charges against not only operators but also ordinary users is increasing, sparking widespread concern online.

Police have secured server data related to the immoral website ‘AVMOV’.

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🔹AVMOV’s scale and operations
AVMOV has been operating as a platform for sharing and rating non-consensual explicit videos, earning more than 4 billion KRW over three years with approximately 540,000 members. After JTBC first exposed the site’s structure and activities, the operators immediately altered the homepage and restricted new registrations in an attempt to erase traces.

🔹 Police secure server…610,000 downloads verified
The Gyeonggi Nambu Police Agency obtained AVMOV’s internal server last weekend and confirmed approximately 615,000 downloadable records, including detailed information showing who accessed which videos and at what time. Transaction logs and IP information allow for the identification of individual users, and many appear to have obtained points through affiliated gambling sites or video sharing instead of direct payment.

🔹Tracking the key distributor ‘new release expert’
Police have launched a separate investigation into the figure nicknamed “new release expert,” believed to be a major supplier and core operator. This individual uploaded more than 400 illicit recordings and announced plans to upload an additional 100 new videos, pointing to their role as a central actor in the site’s operations.

🔹 Previous arrests and investigation challenges
In May 2023, police arrested a mid-level manager who handled money laundering, promotion, and content uploads based on Telegram instructions from the actual operator. However, VPN usage, hidden links, and layered security measures hindered efforts to identify the highest-ranking operator.

🔹 ‘Fake shutdown’ suspicion and user unrest
After JTBC’s report, AVMOV appeared to shut down, but evidence suggests a possible “fake shutdown,” allowing access to a hidden, linked domain. Police also consider the possibility of deliberate misdirection. As possession of illegal content constitutes a criminal offense, online communities have seen a surge in anxiety among users, with law firms advertising legal consultations.

🔹 Investigation expands to general users
Using server data and more than 248,000 comment logs with IP addresses, police plan to expand their investigation beyond operators to general users. This case is expected to become a precedent in strengthening the legal framework and enforcement measures against digital sexual exploitation.

One-line summary : Police have seized the server of the illegal site ‘AVMOV,’ confirming over 610,000 downloads and expanding investigations to both operators and users.