Threats of 'Illegal Immigrant Reporting' Also Made to Foreign Drivers
A group that threatened drunk drivers to extort money has been caught by the police.
According to the Chungnam Provincial Police Agency on the 12th, four people in their 30s, including Mr. A, have been accused of chasing drunk drivers in entertainment districts in Cheonan, Dangjin, Suwon, and Cheongju since last year, threatening to report them, and extorting about 57 million won. The police arrested two ringleaders on charges including violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Crimes (joint extortion).
In March, the police received a tip about "threatening drunk drivers to extort money" in an entertainment district in Cheonan, and by tracking CCTV footage, they identified four suspects in their 30s. It was revealed that they meticulously planned the crime by dividing roles into scouting for drunk drivers, chasing vehicles, and acting as provocateurs who threatened with staged accidents or police reports.
It was also investigated that when the driver was a foreigner, they threatened to report them as "illegal immigrants" to extort money.
Police investigations revealed that they were prison acquaintances and hometown friends who committed these crimes due to financial difficulties.
A police official said, "As penalties for drunk driving have been strengthened, extortionists targeting drunk drivers have emerged, roaming around restaurants at dawn," adding, "The best way to avoid becoming a target of extortionists is not to drive under the influence."
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