'Copied 50,000 Won Note Out of Curiosity'... Man Sentenced for Distributing 320 Counterfeit Bills

Distributed 320 Counterfeit Bills and Gift Certificates
Shared Neighbor's Personal Information Claiming Noise Complaints

A man in his 40s who distributed counterfeit 50,000-won bills, over 300 gift certificates, and leaflets insulting his neighbors outside his apartment window was sentenced to prison.

Seoul Northern District Court.

According to the legal community on the 18th, the 11th Criminal Division of the Seoul Northern District Court (Presiding Judge Dong-sik Lee) sentenced Cho (43), who was indicted on charges of currency counterfeiting, use of counterfeit currency, securities forgery, and use of forged securities, to two years in prison.

Cho was prosecuted for allegedly distributing a total of 320 items, including 288 counterfeit 50,000-won bills and 32 gift certificates, copied using a multifunction printer at his apartment in Nowon-gu, Seoul, on January 15, by throwing them out of the emergency stairwell window on the 13th floor. He is also charged with distributing 58 leaflets containing false information about residents living upstairs, claiming they caused noise disturbances.

The court explained the sentencing by stating, “The act harmed the public trust in currency and securities and the safety of transactions involving currency circulation, which is a serious offense. The fact that an unidentified person obtained and used one counterfeit bill, indicating additional crimes, and that the defamation victims have not forgiven the defendant, are unfavorable factors.”

However, it was considered a mitigating factor that Cho committed the crimes of currency counterfeiting and securities forgery out of curiosity or for defamation purposes, and that a significant portion of the counterfeit bills and gift certificates were recovered within a short period and did not circulate in the market.