Local Newspaper Reporter Arrested for Fraud Gambling Against Public Officials in Jangheung, Jeonnam

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] A local newspaper correspondent was arrested and indicted for embezzling approximately 800 million won through fraudulent gambling targeting local government officials.

On the 23rd, the Jangheung Police Station in Jeonnam announced that they had arrested two individuals in their 50s, including Mr. A, a Jangheung correspondent for a local newspaper, on charges of conspiring with juniors to commit fraudulent gambling against government officials and others. They were sent to the prosecution, while six accomplices and participants in the gambling were also referred with non-custodial prosecution opinions.

The prosecution is reported to have indicted all eight individuals involved in this case.

Mr. A, a correspondent based in Jangheung, Jeonnam, conducted fraudulent gambling with juniors in a container office in Jangheung County from August 2017 to December 2019, embezzling approximately 800 million won from victims.

Among the victims of the fraudulent gambling were two government officials, and it was confirmed that Mr. A deceived the victims using methods that could be seen in movies.

According to the police investigation, Mr. A applied a special substance to Hwatu cards and detected them using special cameras and other equipment during the fraudulent gambling.

The police received related intelligence and were conducting an internal investigation when some of the victims filed complaints, prompting a formal investigation and the arrest of Mr. A and others.

The police are continuing follow-up investigations into additional related parties.