South Korean authorities have uncovered an illegal Used Car sales operation run by two foreign nationals that allegedly targeted undocumented migrants, raising concerns over the expansion of an underground Used Car market among vulnerable communities.
The Korea Immigration Service and the Seoul Immigration Office said Wednesday that the suspects—an Uzbek national and a Kazakh national—have been referred to prosecutors for violating the Immigration Control Act by engaging in unauthorized income-generating activities.
The case emerged during a broader investigation into Used Car advertisements circulating on social media platforms. Officials found that many listings were specifically aimed at foreign residents who often face barriers accessing licensed Used Car dealerships.
According to investigators, the Uzbek national began the business in 2021 while residing in South Korea on a student visa. The Kazakh national joined the operation in early 2024, helping to scale up its activities.
Authorities said the pair split roles within the operation. One was responsible for sourcing vehicles and negotiating purchase prices, while the other managed online promotions and coordinated deliveries to buyers.
Despite restrictions tied to their visa status, the suspects are believed to have sold approximately 370 Used Car units between January 2024 and November 2025. Profits from each transaction reportedly ranged from 200,000 won to 1 million won.
Investigators also identified nine so-called “ghost cars,” referring to vehicles registered under the names of foreign nationals who had already left the country. These Used Car vehicles were subsequently resold to buyers whose identities could not be confirmed.
Authorities said several of the vehicles had accumulated unpaid taxes, while the original registered owners were later issued fines without their knowledge.
“Illegally distributing Used Car vehicles, including ghost cars that could be used for criminal activity, poses a serious threat to public safety,” an official involved in the investigation said. “We will continue to track down such operations and work to eliminate them.”
