Main Perpetrator of 3 Billion Won Live Fish Distribution Fraud Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison on Appeal

Sentence increased by 1 year from original sentence... Accomplice sentenced to 1-7 years
Crime committed over 2 years by abusing 'pre-supply post-payment' practice

The ringleader of a gang that committed a live fish distribution fraud worth 3 billion won targeting small-scale aquaculture operators nationwide received a harsher sentence in the appellate court than in the original trial.

According to Yonhap News on the 6th, the 1st Criminal Division of the Jeonju Branch of the Gwangju High Court (Chief Judge Baek Gang-jin) overturned the original sentence of 13 years imprisonment and sentenced Mr. A, who was indicted on charges including violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes (fraud), to 14 years imprisonment in the appellate trial. Three accomplices, including Mr. B, who was responsible for recruiting and luring fishermen and transporting live fish, were sentenced to 1 to 7 years imprisonment.

From October 2018 to September 2020, Mr. A and others introduced themselves to dozens of fishermen in Gochang and Sunchang, Jeonbuk, and Wando, Jeonnam, as "distributors with secured large clients," then received live fish worth approximately 3.3 billion won on credit and failed to pay the price, leading to prosecution. The gang gained the fishermen's favor by legitimately trading live fish such as rockfish, mullet, abalone, and yellowtail, and once trust was established, they committed the crime by demanding credit transactions worth tens of millions to hundreds of millions of won.

Gwangju High Court Jeonju Branch
[Image source=Yonhap News]

They approached the fishermen with the intention from the start to use the money from selling live fish to repay their debts and cover living expenses. Mr. A and others requested credit transactions following the customs of the fisheries industry, while accomplices like Mr. B acted as promoters, praising "(Mr. A) is trustworthy." Ultimately, the aquaculture operators who were deceived and handed over live fish first suffered significant losses and had to endure severe management difficulties.

The first trial court pointed out, "The defendants exploited the custom where aquaculture operators or wholesalers supply quantities to seafood distributors on credit and pay later," adding, "This seriously undermined the foundation of credit transactions directly linked to the livelihoods of many victims, making the crime particularly egregious." It further stated, "Despite the victims suffering economic and psychological distress, the defendants made no effort to compensate the damages," and "Even considering that the defendants admitted to some of the crimes, a severe sentence is necessary."

Moreover, the appellate court stated, "The confirmed damage amounts to 3.3 billion won, and Mr. A, despite having been punished three times previously for fraud, did not reform and committed similar crimes on a much larger scale." It added, "Nevertheless, the defendant denies most of the crimes with implausible excuses, making severe punishment inevitable." The court also noted, "Victims are suffering not only economic damage but also psychological distress such as panic disorder," and "Considering the defendant's financial situation, it seems unlikely that further recovery of damages for other victims can be expected."

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