"Unlike Local Gangsters Based on Regional Ties
Possibility of Being Based on Peer Groups"
At the residence of Shin Mo (28, detained), the suspect who, while intoxicated on drugs, drove a Rolls-Royce near Apgujeong Station in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, and hit a woman in her 20s leaving her in a brain-dead state, bundles of cash exceeding 100 million won were discovered. There is growing suspicion of ties to organized crime.
According to the legal community on the 3rd, the Violent Crime Investigation Division of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Shin Junho) found over 100 million won in cash during a search of Shin's residence on the 21st of last month.
After taking over the case from the police last month, the prosecution, which had detected signs of Shin's involvement with organized crime groups, is investigating the possibility that this money was also illegally obtained through gang activities and is currently tracing the funds.
The prosecution was investigating the source of funds that enabled Shin, despite being in his 20s, to drive a vehicle worth 700 million won and recently hire a former high-ranking prosecutor and a former government attorney as his lawyers.
The prosecution suspects Shin's connection to a new form of organized crime called the so-called "peer group." Unlike traditional gangs based on regional ties, peer groups, also known as "MZ gangs," operate across organizations and regions, consisting of members of similar age groups.
Shin Mo, known as the 'Apgujeong Rolls-Royce' driver, who is accused of hitting a pedestrian and causing serious injuries while driving under the influence of drugs, is being transferred from the Seoul Gangnam Police Station to the Central District Prosecutors' Office. [Photo by Yonhap News]
On the 10th of last month, Shin appeared on the YouTube channel "Caracula Detective Agency," claiming that the Rolls-Royce he was driving at the time of the accident belonged to a close older brother and that the expensive watches he had flaunted were fake. He also completely denied suspicions that he generated huge profits through operating overseas gift reading rooms. When asked, "Then how did you make a lot of money?" he replied, "I did not make a lot of money."
Shin is accused of driving a Rolls-Royce into a sidewalk on the 2nd of last month, injuring a woman in her 20s. The victim suffered fractures in both legs and severe injuries to her abdomen and head, and has been in a brain-dead state since the early morning of the 5th. According to the victim A's family, the medical staff treating A have advised the family to prepare themselves emotionally. Seven types of psychotropic substances, including ketamine, were detected in Shin's body.
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