Fraud Cases Repeatedly Occur Targeting Engaged and Newlywed Couples
Disappearing After Receiving Deposit Following Filming Contract
The studio owners who took deposits under the pretense of photographing wedding photos for engaged and newlywed couples, as well as baby growth albums, and then disappeared, have been referred to the prosecution.
On the 27th, Yonhap News reported that the Daejeon Western Police Station sent the wedding photography company representative A and the baby studio company representative B to the prosecution without detention on charges of fraud.
Mr. A mainly operated on talent market platforms such as 'Soomgo'. He was sued in January for not delivering the photos to engaged couples who had contracted for wedding day photography or for taking reservation deposits and then disappearing. The number of victims caused by Mr. A is about 130 cases, with total damages amounting to approximately 70 million KRW.
Mr. B, who operated a well-known baby specialty studio in Daejeon, suddenly closed his business in November last year after receiving deposits for baby growth albums. Subsequently, the victims reported Mr. B to the police. It was found that these victims had contracted and paid advance payments to Mr. B for growth albums containing photos of late pregnancy, newborn (Bonart), 50-day, 100-day, and first birthday shoots.
The victims reportedly trusted Mr. B because he had been operating for over 10 years and his company had participated in 'Baby Fair', an event related to childcare and childbirth. The police estimated the number of victims at around 170, with damages totaling about 200 million KRW. Police investigations revealed that Mr. B had also failed to pay cooperating companies.
Mr. A and others reportedly stated to the police, "Due to difficulties in running the business, we resorted to using reservation deposits to cover other expenses, which led to this situation."
Recently, incidents of studios taking deposits from engaged or newlywed couples and then disappearing have been occurring repeatedly. Previously, in October last year, a famous wedding studio was also sent to prosecution on charges of taking deposits and disappearing. The police advise caution when contracting for products that require advance payments, especially if the company offers services at prices significantly lower than the average market rate.
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