[Seocho-dong Legal Story] Account Holder Who Lent Large Account Book Disappears After Withdrawing Money

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The proposal, 'If you lend your bank account name, you will receive 500,000 won every month,' caught the attention of Yu (25, male). It was a condition set by Park (29, male), who was recruiting dummy accounts to be used for voice phishing.

The current Electronic Financial Transactions Act stipulates punishment for acts such as exchanging access media for compensation. Yu could not refuse the offer. In March 2021, he created an account in his name and handed over the check card, password, and OTP card to Park.

Park began depositing money into the dummy account under Yu's name in earnest. However, a few days later, the entire amount of 71,486,094 won deposited by Park was withdrawn at once. This amount is equivalent to what Yu would have earned by receiving 500,000 won for 143 months, but Yu changed his mind, withdrew the money, and disappeared.

The photo is unrelated to the article content. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Park, along with two other accomplices in their 20s, went after Yu. The accomplices also sent messages to Yu as follows:

"(Nationwide) there is a bounty on you, and they are searching everywhere. We have found out your parents' house and a report has been filed. Just return half comfortably. (Omitted) This is the last offer. Don't regret asking for mercy later, just do it." (April 29, 2021)

"We will search for you no matter how many years it takes." (May 1, 2021)

"X XXXX." (May 4, 2021)

When Yu did not give in easily, Park's group changed tactics. They visited Yu's acquaintances to inquire about his whereabouts. They forced him into a car or house, held him captive with weapons, and coerced him into writing an 'IOU' by demanding he repay the money on Yu's behalf.

The prosecution indicted Park and his group on charges including special confinement, threats, coercion, and joint extortion under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Violent Crimes. Park was also charged with aiding and abetting fraud and violating the Electronic Financial Transactions Act by handing over Yu's account to voice phishing organization members, enabling the deposit of approximately 360 million won extorted under the pretext of cryptocurrency investment. Yu, who lent his account, was also brought to trial.

According to the legal community on the 15th, Judge Heo Jeongin of the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 17 recently sentenced Park to 2 years and 4 months in prison in the first trial.

Judge Heo stated, "Considering the method of the crime, the case is not light," and pointed out, "In particular, Park also aided and abetted the fraudulent acts of the voice phishing organization." However, he added, "He admitted to each crime and there are some mitigating circumstances regarding the circumstances of the crime," and "Other sentencing factors such as age, character, and environment were comprehensively considered."

The accomplices involved in special confinement received suspended prison sentences considering that they reached agreements with some victims. A separate trial procedure will be conducted for Yu, and the first trial sentence will be delivered later.

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