'Bold Public Officials'... Deceiving Seniors Using Kkotbaem to Extort 1.5 Billion Won

Framed Colleague for Sexual Assault After Getting Him Drunk
First Trial Court: "Serious Offense"
Sentenced to 2 to 6 Years in Prison

Two individuals, including a public official, who extorted 1.5 billion won by staging a sexual assault after getting a senior colleague drunk and involving a woman known as a so-called ‘kkotbaem’ (female scammer) who had premeditated the crime, were sentenced to prison in the first trial.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Criminal Division 11 of Suwon District Court (Presiding Judge Shin Jin-woo) sentenced public official A to six years in prison and accomplice B to two years in prison on charges of violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes (extortion).

(This photo is not directly related to the article) Pixabay

A and others deceived their workplace colleague and acquaintance C in March 2012 by making him believe that he had committed sexual assault while intoxicated and that if he did not settle quickly, a report would be filed. They are accused of receiving a total of over 900 million won by December of the following year, including about 280 million won transferred from C.

A and others used a similar method again. Between 2017 and 2018, they lured C to a restaurant and involved a woman as a companion using the same tactic. This time, they threatened, “The parents of the minor who was present contacted us saying their child was sexually assaulted. They are demanding 1 billion won, and if you don’t pay, you will have no choice but to go to prison,” extorting 660 million won.

Investigations revealed that A conspired with B to exploit C’s tendency to have poor memory when drinking. A’s role was to deceive C into believing a sexual assault report would be filed and to collect money, while B was responsible for introducing the woman to be used as the ‘kkotbaem,’ drinking with the victim, and creating an atmosphere to go to a motel, dividing roles in advance.

The first trial court stated, “The defendants mobilized so-called kkotbaem women and then extorted money by disguising the intoxicated victim as having committed a sexual crime requiring criminal settlement, which is a very serious offense,” and added, “A has made no sincere effort to restore the victim and denies the crime, showing no remorse.”

It continued, “However, B admitted to the crime, showed remorse, and repaid 75 million won to the victim,” and “considered the fact that the victim does not wish for punishment against the defendants.”