Real Doll Shop Owner Who Set Fire for Insurance Fraud Receives Suspended Sentence in 2nd Trial "Considering Support for Elderly Mother"

First Trial Prison Sentence → Second Trial Prison Sentence Suspended

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] A man in his 60s who set fire to a real doll shop he operated, aiming to claim insurance money after his business worsened due to COVID-19, was sentenced to a suspended prison term in the appellate court. ▶Refer to Asia Economy's October 27, 2022 article [Seocho-dong Legal Story] Real Doll Shop on Fire at Midnight... The Arsonist Caught.

According to the court on the 13th, the Seoul High Court Criminal Division 6-1 (Presiding Judges Won Jongchan, Jeong Chongryeong, Kang Gyeongpyo) sentenced Mr. A (63, male), who was indicted for arson of an existing building and violation of the Special Act on the Prevention of Insurance Fraud, on the 11th to two years in prison with a four-year suspension, stating that "the original sentence (2 years imprisonment) was too harsh and unjust." He was also ordered to perform 200 hours of community service.

The court explained, "The economic difficulties caused by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic appear to be the motive for the crime," and "The elderly defendant is in poor health, suffering from a brain tumor and heart disease, and is solely supporting his 85-year-old mother."

A man is looking at a real doll. The photo is unrelated to the article content. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, Mr. A was charged with setting fire on January 15, 2021, on the third floor of a building in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, with the intent to claim insurance money.

The floor where the fire occurred housed Mr. A’s real doll shop, which featured adult product mannequins and spaces for sexual activities. At the time, he had approximately 100 million KRW in debt, and was struggling to manage his business due to the spread of COVID-19. The prosecution believed that Mr. A, having subscribed to fire damage insurance, deliberately set the fire to receive insurance compensation.

During the fire, a convenience store employee was working the night shift on the first floor of the building. The fire caused by Mr. A was extinguished without spreading to other floors.

The real doll shop’s interior and goods were damaged by fire, resulting in approximately 28 million KRW in losses. However, the insurance company, upon learning that the fire was caused by arson, did not pay out the insurance money.

The first trial sentenced Mr. A to two years in prison. It pointed out, "Arson crimes carry significant social risks as they can easily escalate into larger fires causing irreversible harm to innocent lives, bodies, or property," and "Insurance fraud crimes undermine the foundation of the insurance system and have very serious social consequences."

The first trial court also stated, "However, the defendant has admitted to all charges in court and shown remorse," and "The fire was extinguished relatively quickly, preventing additional damage, and the damaged parts were restored and returned to the building owner. The landlord has requested leniency."

Furthermore, it added, "Since the insurance fraud was an 'attempt' and the defendant did not gain any benefits," and "Considering that the defendant did not appear to have planned to subscribe to insurance with the intent to commit fraud."

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