Voice Phishing Gang Member Led by "Ma Dongseok" Sentenced to Prison in First Trial

A member of a voice phishing organization, who operated under the direction of a ringleader known as "Ma Dongseok" and based in Cambodia, has been sentenced to prison in the first trial.

Seoul Eastern District Court building. Photo by Yonhap News

On October 1, the 11th Criminal Division of the Seoul Eastern District Court (Presiding Judge Kang Minho) sentenced Kim (28), who was charged with joining a criminal organization and other offenses, to three years and six months in prison and ordered the forfeiture of 97.44 million won.

The court stated, "Kim was aware of the illegality, voluntarily left for Cambodia, joined the criminal organization, and deceived victims as a call center agent. Although the damages amount to 150 million won and there has been no restitution, the court considered that Kim admitted to the crime and that the actual criminal proceeds were less than the total damages."

Kim was indicted and detained in July on charges of joining the voice phishing group "Hanya Call Center" in Cambodia last December and deceiving victims. The organization Kim belonged to, led by a ringleader using the alias "Ma Dongseok," reportedly committed voice phishing and other frauds from October last year to April this year, swindling 527 million won from 11 victims.

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