[KOREA WAVE, August 15th]In July, the Southern District Court of Seoul sentenced the man to a fine of 3 million won (approximately 319,800 yen) and the woman to a woman was fined 2 million won (approximately 213,200 yen). He said he repeatedly tricked cash from his familiar couple, pretending it was his father’s funeral and attorney’s fees.
“My father has passed away. Could you lend me 10 million won (about 1,066,000 yen) for funeral costs?” In April 2022, the man in his 50s called the couple, a parent and wife whom he met through the school, and applied for debt, promising that he would “be sure to pay it back within six months.” The couple trusted the couple and transferred 9.6 million won (approximately 1,023,360 yen) into an account under the man’s mother’s name.
In March 2023, the woman called the couple. “We have to hurry up and hire a lawyer. We’ll need 10 million won (about 1.066 million yen),” he said, adding that he would “be sure to return it within 2-3 months.” The couple transferred 5 million won (about 533,000 yen) to the woman’s account that same day.
However, the defendant’s couple had no intention or ability to pay it back. All the reasons for the debt are also false. The money I borrowed was used to pay my credit card and to pay off my debts to acquaintances.
The man also said, “If you sell a commercial facility in Gangneungsi, Gangneung Province, you will get cash,” and pretended to be a possibility of repayment.
Without realizing this, the victim’s couple even raised 5 million won (about 533,000 yen) from loan sharks, and used money to the defendant couple.
In its ruling, the district court said, “The defendants used friendship with the victim to defraud the funds. There is a great need for punishment.”
(c)news1/KOREA WAVE/AFPBB News
