Teenager Sentenced to Fine and Fainted in Court... 'Voice Phishing Part-Time Job'

Caught in the Act While Acting as Cash Collector
Court Says "Severe Punishment Is Somewhat Harsh"

A teenage high school student involved in voice phishing (telephone financial fraud) crimes was ultimately sentenced to a fine. The student even fainted in court upon hearing the prosecutor's sentencing recommendation.

According to the legal community on the 9th, Judge Kim Dong-jin of the Criminal Division 4 at Seoul Southern District Court sentenced Kim (18), a Chinese national, who was tried on fraud charges, to a fine of 2.9 million won.

Kim is accused of conspiring with voice phishing organization members after being offered the role of a "cash collector," and defrauding victim A of approximately 6 million won in cash.

In March of last year, they called victim A, pretending that A's daughter had been kidnapped and demanded money. The group showed meticulousness by spoofing the caller ID to appear as the daughter's phone number and instructed A, "If you are withdrawing money from the bank, we will send someone."

Later that day, around 5 p.m., Kim met A in front of a department store located in Guro-gu, Seoul, and received 6 million won in cash.

Kim, who was caught at the scene by the police as a suspect, claimed innocence in court, stating, "I collected cash as a part-time job, but I had no intent to commit voice phishing crimes."

However, the court did not accept Kim's claim. It recognized that Kim acted with at least a tacit awareness that the acts committed were abnormal or illegal.

The court further pointed out, "Considering the social harm caused by voice phishing targeting an unspecified number of victims, strict measures are necessary in principle."

However, the court explained the sentencing rationale, stating, "If a severe criminal punishment is imposed, there is a possibility of subsequent measures such as being denied permission to stay in the country, which seems somewhat harsh given the age and circumstances."

It added, "Considering that Kim is an 18-year-old high school student with limited social experience, a first-time offender, the amount of damage was immediately recovered, and that Kim fainted upon hearing the prosecutor's sentencing recommendation due to excessive nervousness, experiencing difficulties in daily life from the shock of being involved in a crime as a high school student."