Gang Sentenced to Prison for Embezzling 200 Million Won Through 41 Insurance Fraud Cases

by Kang Nahum

Published 05 Jan.2022 17:59(KST)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] A group involved in insurance fraud, who wrongfully received nearly 200 million won in insurance payouts, was sentenced to prison in the first trial.

According to the legal community on the 5th, Judge Hong Sunwook of the Criminal Division 5 at the Seoul Northern District Court sentenced Kim (42), who was indicted for violating the Special Act on the Prevention of Insurance Fraud, to 3 years in prison; Kang (41) to 1 year and 2 months; and Hong (43) to 8 months in prison.

They are accused of deliberately causing 41 traffic accidents over about a year in the Seoul and Gyeonggi areas, including intentionally rear-ending a passenger car in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province last May to receive about 8 million won in insurance money, and pocketing approximately 197 million won from insurance companies.

Additionally, Kim is charged with assault and obstruction of business for causing a disturbance at a bar in Uijeongbu last May, claiming he was looking for a man who contacted his girlfriend, twisting the owner's arm, and using abusive language.

The court stated, "Although the defendants generally reflected on their wrongdoing and compensated the victim insurance companies for the damages," it added, "due to their prior records of fraud and assault, and reoffending during probation for similar crimes, their criminal nature is not favorable," explaining the sentencing rationale.