Man in His 50s Sentenced to 5 Years and 6 Months in Prison for Defrauding Woman of W800 Million Through Stock Investment Scam Met via App

A man in his 50s who deceived a woman he met online and swindled a large sum of money under the guise of investment has been sentenced to 5 years and 6 months in prison in the first trial.

On September 2, the 11th Criminal Division of the Seoul Southern District Court (Presiding Judge Jang Chan) sentenced a man in his 50s, surnamed Jang, who was brought to trial on charges of fraud under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Economic Crimes, to 5 years and 6 months in prison.

The court reprimanded him, stating, "The nature of the crime is not light, as he extorted money under the pretext of stock investment after forming a personal relationship with the victim," and added, "He committed the crime yet again despite having been sentenced to prison multiple times for defrauding female victims met through internet chat and other means by forming romantic relationships with them."

The court also noted, "Only about 63 million won of the damaged amount has been returned, and the victim is pleading for a severe punishment due to psychological suffering."

However, the court stated that it took into consideration the fact that the defendant admitted to the crime and showed remorse during sentencing.

Jang was indicted on charges of approaching a woman he met through an app in 2021 and embezzling approximately 790 million won under the guise of stock investment.

The female victim reported Jang to the police in 2023, but Jang went into hiding after undergoing a single police investigation.

Following a manhunt lasting more than three years, the police arrested Jang in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, on April 23.

It was confirmed that Jang had eluded police tracking by living in hiding, such as driving a vehicle registered under another person's name.

In the meantime, it was revealed that Jang continued similar fraudulent acts in places such as Geoje and Busan.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.