Foot Caught in Wheel, Collides with Cargo Truck... 20-Year-Old Given Suspended Sentence for 'Insurance Fraud'

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] A suspended prison sentence was confirmed for a man in his 20s accused of fraudulently claiming insurance money by deliberately putting his foot into a car wheel.

On the 5th, according to the court, Judge Park Seol-ah of the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 24 sentenced A (28, male), who was indicted for violating the Insurance Fraud Prevention Act, fraud, and obstruction of official duties by deception, to one year in prison with a two-year suspension. He was also ordered to perform 180 hours of community service and pay 1 million won in compensation.

Earlier, A was prosecuted for causing a traffic accident by approaching the side of B’s vehicle, which was reversing in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, around 10:30 a.m. on March 29 last year, and deliberately putting his foot into the front wheel on the driver’s side, then extorting a total of about 1 million won in settlement and medical expenses from the insurance company B had joined. A is also accused of separately demanding and receiving 1 million won as a personal settlement from B at that time.

On the night of April 15 last year, around 10:30 p.m., he additionally attempted insurance fraud by bumping his arm against a cargo truck driven by C in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, but the attempt failed due to witnesses and black box footage, according to the investigation.

A was also indicted for obstructing police officers’ duties by causing them to respond twice due to these false reports.

In court, A’s side denied the charges, claiming, "We never intentionally caused an accident." However, the court found him guilty based on CCTV footage, analysis opinions from a researcher affiliated with the Korea Road Traffic Authority, and witness statements.

Judge Park reprimanded, "The defendant deliberately caused minor accidents with the intent to embezzle insurance money and settlement funds, so the nature of the crime is very serious," adding, "Nevertheless, he denies his wrongdoing and has not compensated the victims."

However, the judge also stated, "The defendant has no prior record of similar crimes, and the amount embezzled is not very large," and "considered various sentencing factors such as the defendant’s age, character, and environment." Since A did not appeal, this ruling was finalized as is.