Where Are the Missing 28 Billion Won in Gold Bars?…Forensic Analysis Begins on Damaged Mobile Phone

Investigation into Osstem Implant Embezzlement Case Intensifies, Including Possible Accomplices

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] The police have begun forensic work on the mobile phones of Lee Mo (45), an employee of Osstem Implant accused of embezzling 198 billion won of company funds.

According to the police on the 10th, the Seoul Gangseo Police Station secured several mobile phones during the process of arresting Lee, most of which are known to be under the names of family members as borrowed phones.

The police plan to recover the damaged mobile phones and, through forensic work, identify the motive for the crime, the method of escape, and the people contacted during the escape. If the individuals contacted during the escape are identified, the police plan to summon them as witnesses for investigation.

The police are also focusing their investigation on whether there were accomplices or if there was any instruction or involvement from higher-ups. While the possibility of a solo crime cannot be ruled out, the police are expanding the scope of the investigation, considering that even if not from higher-ups, Lee might have conspired with people around him. This too is expected to become clearer once the forensic work on the mobile phones is completed.

Investigations are also underway targeting Osstem Implant executives such as Chairman Choi Gyu-ok and CEO Eom Tae-gwan. The case in which the Committee for the Protection of the Common People and Livelihoods reported Chairman Choi and CEO Eom to the National Police Agency’s National Investigation Headquarters has been assigned to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.

The recovery of the embezzled amount is also a matter of interest. Most of the embezzled amount, totaling 198 billion won, is known to have been lost in the process of buying and selling stocks. The recoverable amount includes 10 billion won returned to the company in March, 40 billion won worth of seized gold bars, 497 kg of cash amounting to 430 million won, stocks, and real estate worth 7.5 billion won, totaling 73 billion won. The whereabouts of over 120 billion won remain unknown.

In particular, the whereabouts of gold bars estimated to be worth about 28 billion won are expected to be a turning point in this investigation. Whether the gold bars are stored separately or have been handed over to someone for safekeeping will be a crucial variable in recovering the embezzled amount, identifying accomplices, and maintaining the company’s stock listing.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.