"I run a large cattle farm and own multiple commercial buildings, so I will make you happy."

A man in his 50s who carried out a fraud scheme worth hundreds of millions of won targeting a woman and her family—whom he met on a dating app and even registered a marriage with—has been put behind bars.

Jeonju District Court Criminal Single Judge Moon Ju-hee announced today (Sept. 10) that he sentenced A, 54, who was indicted on charges of fraud and theft, to two years and six months in prison and placed him under court custody.

A was indicted for failing to repay approximately 230 million won in borrowed money and credit card bills incurred under the names of B, a woman in her 50s whom he married, and her son.

The ill-fated relationship between A and B began in September 2022.

A showed B, whom he met on a dating app, a bank account manipulated to look like it held about 1 billion won, boasting of his wealth by saying, "I run a large farm in Wanju-gun. I also have commercial buildings and property to inherit."

Their relationship developed rapidly thereafter, leading them to register their marriage in March of the following year and set up house in B's home in Jeongeup.

However, the rosy dream of a happy future was shattered before long.

A continually demanded money, claiming, "The 1 billion won in my account is locked up so I need cash," and even purchased a mid-sized sport utility vehicle (SUV) using B's credit card by saying, "I cannot buy a car under my name right now, so let's purchase it on installment."

He even called B's son, asking to borrow tens of millions of won under the pretext that "I am looking for a house to live in with your mother, but the deposit is short. I will pay you back by selling the cattle I raise or my stocks."

In reality, A was a credit-defaulted debtor with no farm, no commercial buildings, no stocks, and no property to inherit, and he even used part of the money borrowed from B and her son to purchase game currency.

B, who belatedly discovered his true identity, liquidated the agonizing past through a lawsuit for the nullification and cancellation of marriage in September 2024.

The court reprimanded A, who stood trial for the matter, stating, "The defendant exploited the trust of the victims to repeatedly defraud them of money and acquire financial benefits, making the nature of the crime very poor."

The court further ruled, "As the defendant shows a markedly weak sense of alertness, normative awareness, and law-abiding consciousness toward crime, making him appear likely to reoffend, a prison sentence is inevitable."

(Photo: Yonhap News)