Sign Language Interpreter Fined for Deceiving Hearing-Impaired Person and Embezzling Hundreds of Thousands in Loans

A sign language interpreter who approached a hearing-impaired person and embezzled several million won in loans was sentenced to a fine.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Choyoung] A sign language interpreter who exploited the trust of hearing-impaired individuals to pretend to assist with loans and embezzled money was sentenced to a fine.

According to the legal community on the 24th, the Cheongju District Court Criminal Division 2 (Presiding Judge Lee Dongho) sentenced A (42), who was indicted on fraud charges, to a fine of 2 million won.

A was tried on charges of embezzling 4 million won in loan funds by using the name of B, a hearing-impaired person seeking a loan in Jung-dong, Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, on August 2, 2019.

A pretended to assist B with loan consultations, obtained B's bankbook, seal, and public certification, took out a loan of 5 million won, and then deposited about 4 million won in four installments into an acquaintance's account and withdrew it in cash.

It was investigated that A approached hearing-impaired individuals by exploiting the fact that hearing-impaired people easily trust and rely on sign language interpreters like himself.

The court stated the reason for sentencing, saying, "The sign language interpreter committed the crime targeting hearing-impaired individuals, which is a serious offense," and "the sentence was determined after considering the circumstances before and after the crime."

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