A Part-Time Worker Who Quit on the 3rd Day After Returning Incorrect Change... Why the Store Owner Is Desperately Looking for Them

"Disheartened Employee Pays Back 100,000 Won and Quits Job"
Possibility of Punishment for Establishment of Crime of Embezzlement of Lost Property

A part-time worker at a convenience store mistakenly gave a customer 200,000 won instead of exchanging two 50,000 won bills for 10,000 won bills, and the customer took the money and left. On the 10th, JTBC's 'Case Manager' reported on an incident that occurred around 10 p.m. on the 27th of last month at a convenience store in Gajwa-dong, Seo-gu, Incheon. The convenience store owner, Mr. A, shared CCTV footage and related information, stating that he is looking for the man who took 100,000 won more in change due to the employee's mistake.

Convenience store owner Mr. A reported the incident along with CCTV footage, stating that he is looking for a man who received 100,000 won in change due to an employee's mistake.
[Photo by JTBC Sajeonbanjang]

The CCTV footage released by Mr. A shows a man approaching the convenience store counter, purchasing Hwatu cards, and handing two 50,000 won bills to the part-time worker, asking to exchange them for 10,000 won bills. The part-time worker counted the money and gave the customer ten 10,000 won bills. Then, the worker mistakenly gave another ten 10,000 won bills.

Mr. A explained, "The employee is only twenty years old and had been working for three days," adding, "He was very upset, repaid the 100,000 won, and quit the job that same day." He also said, "We need to pay him three days' wages, but we received incorrect bank account and contact information, so we have no way to pay him," and "We are waiting to hear from him."

The closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage released by Mr. A shows a man approaching the convenience store counter, purchasing Hwatu cards, and then handing two 50,000 won bills to the part-time worker, asking to exchange them for 10,000 won bills. While counting the money, the part-time worker took out a 100,000 won bill and gave it to the customer.
[Photo by JTBC Sajeonbanjang]

Netizens who heard the story responded with comments such as, "Everyone makes mistakes, so I hope the employee doesn't get too discouraged," "He bought Hwatu cards, but did he think the extra 100,000 won was someone else's money?" and "While it was the employee's fault, it was shameless behavior to know about the extra money and just ignore it."

Meanwhile, under current law, if a customer did not realize they received extra change at the time, the intent for fraud is negated. However, if the customer knew about the extra money and did not return it, they can be charged with embezzlement of lost property and punished. Regarding this case, the police are reportedly pursuing the man who took the 200,000 won and disappeared.