Romance Scam Using Girlfriend's Photos... 30s Arrested and Indicted for Embezzling 200 Million Won

A man in his 30s who extorted 200 million KRW from a Swiss national through a romance scam has been brought to trial while in custody. His girlfriend, who allowed the use of her photos, was indicted without detention on charges of aiding fraud.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Criminal Division 2 of the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Choi Tae-eun) announced on the 4th that a man in his 30s, Mr. A, who received 200 million KRW from a Swiss victim through a romance scam, was indicted without detention on the 29th of last month. Mr. A was arrested while attempting to receive an additional 100,000 USD in cash from the victim who had come to Korea, even after receiving the 200 million KRW.

According to the prosecution, Mr. A is accused of approaching a Swiss man in his 20s by posting photos of Ms. B on his Instagram account and acting as if they were dating, then embezzling 149,000 USD (approximately 200 million KRW) under the pretext of needing the money for a rental deposit.

Furthermore, when the victim contacted him after entering Korea last month, Mr. A demanded an additional 100,000 USD (approximately 130 million KRW), saying, "If you want to get married, please prepare the money."

Mr. A instructed the victim to leave the cash in a locker at Gongdeok Station in Mapo-gu, Seoul, but the victim, suspicious of Mr. A, reported to the police, and Mr. A was caught red-handed by the police at the scene while attempting to retrieve the money.

The prosecution stated, "The victim suffered significant economic and psychological damage due to this crime," and added, "Considering the serious nature of the defendants' crimes, we will do our best to ensure that a sentence corresponding to the crime is imposed."

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