Police Officer Who Delivered Voice Phishing Victim Funds Acquitted in First Trial

Transferred Funds to Organization Members Using His Own Account

Claims He "Acted According to Instructions to Obtain a Loan"

A police officer in Busan who was put on trial for involvement in a voice phishing crime has been acquitted. The court accepted the defendant's claim that he was unaware he was participating in a crime.

According to the legal community, on May 15, the Busan District Court Criminal Division 6 (Presiding Judge Lim Seongcheol) found Officer A not guilty in the sentencing hearing on charges including aiding and abetting violations of the Special Act on Prevention of Loss from Telecommunications-Based Financial Fraud and Refund for Losses.

Officer A was accused of withdrawing 1 million won from a total of 21.66 million won in voice phishing victim funds that had been transferred to an account under his name on June 17, 2024, and delivering it to a cash collector for the phishing crime organization. He also allegedly withdrew an additional 12.8 million won, converted it into department store gift certificates, and handed them over to a member of the organization. Officer A, who was working at a police station in Busan, was suspended from his position after being indicted for this case.

During the trial, Officer A's side denied any intent to commit the crime. He argued that, while searching for a loan due to his low credit score, he was deceived by a phishing organization impersonating a bank employee and followed their instructions without any knowledge of the crime. In contrast, the prosecution countered, "It is hard to accept that the defendant, who has served as a police officer for 18 years, did not recognize it was voice phishing."

Ultimately, the court accepted Officer A's argument. The court cited several factors: that Officer A appeared to be following the instructions of a fake loan consultant who told him, "If you create false deposit and withdrawal transaction records to improve your debt repayment capacity, you can get a loan"; that the KakaoTalk messenger conversations were consistent with this explanation; and that he did not take any steps to conceal his status as a police officer during the process.

The court further stated, "Given that a police officer defendant would be subject to automatic dismissal under the Civil Service Act if sentenced to imprisonment or higher, there is no reason for him to risk becoming a courier for a voice phishing scheme." The court concluded, "In light of these circumstances, this case falls under a situation where there is no proof of the crime charged, and therefore a not guilty verdict is rendered."

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