This photo, released on Wednesday by police, shows a sedan following the victim's vehicle in an unidentified location. Two people have been arrested on charges of blackmailing people, mostly drunk drivers and undocumented foreign nationals, after intentionally crashing into their vehicles. Courtesy of Chungnam Provincial Police Agency

Two people have been arrested on charges of blackmailing people, mostly drunk drivers and undocumented foreign nationals, after intentionally crashing into their vehicles.

According to the Chungnam Provincial Police Agency, Wednesday, the suspects, in their 30s, and their two accomplices face indictment on charges of extorting 57 million won ($41,000) from 27 people after staging crashes for about a year from March 2023.

The other two are expected to stand trial without detention.

Police said the suspects specifically targeted foreign nationals and drunk people, who they thought would be less likely to report the traffic incidents to the police.

Suwon, Pyeongtaek, Cheongju and Cheonan were among the cities where they plotted and committed their alleged crimes.

Police said the suspects mainly targeted foreign nationals near factories and offices known to have hired workers without valid visas during daytime. After dark, they started searching for anyone visibly intoxicated.

Police found that they extorted 1 million won to 5 million won from each of their victims.