Stealing SIM Cards for Microtransactions and Fraud Targeting Disabled Individuals... 3 Years Imprisonment

Acquaintance Met While In Prison Also Fails to Repay Money
Victims Total 13 Over 21 Months

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Gyumin] A man in his 20s who stole SIM cards from victims who fell asleep while visiting saunas in the northwestern area of Seoul and embezzled tens of millions of won through microtransactions was sentenced to prison in the first trial.

The Seoul Western District Court Criminal Division 9 (Judge Park Miseon) sentenced Ahn (26), who was indicted on six charges including theft and fraud, to three years in prison on the 25th.

Ahn's crimes began in March 2019. While serving a sentence of one year and two months for theft and other charges at Seoul Southern Prison since March 2018, Ahn was indicted for fraud against an acquaintance he met in prison. According to the court, he borrowed about 30 million won over one year after his release, claiming he needed urgent funds, but did not repay it.

The main microtransaction crimes started in June 2020. The first target was a disabled person. Around June 3 of the same year, near Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Ahn allegedly asked Mr. Guk, who has a level 3 intellectual disability, to borrow his phone briefly, then removed the SIM card and made 42 microtransactions totaling 7,171,370 won over about three months.

He is also accused of using Mr. Guk's personal information to issue five credit cards and obtain short-term loans, gaining several million won. It is known that Ahn used Mr. Guk's ID to activate and use three of the latest smartphones at that time.

According to the court, Ahn then visited saunas and jjimjilbangs in Eunpyeong-gu, Seodaemun-gu, and Mapo-gu, Seoul, stealing SIM cards from the phones of victims who had fallen asleep using clothing pins, and profited tens of millions of won by purchasing game money and cultural gift certificates through microtransactions.

As a result of Ahn's crimes, 13 victims were identified over 21 months, with damages exceeding 66 million won.

After the trial began, Ahn submitted 34 letters of apology. However, the court pointed out, "The defendant has been criminally punished multiple times for similar fraud, computer-related fraud, and theft, and committed crimes again during the probation period without self-reflection. Although the damages from this case exceed 66 million won, most of the damages have not been recovered."

Nevertheless, the court stated the sentencing reason, "The defendant fully admitted to the crimes."