Couple Who Embezzled 6.2 Billion and Fled to the U.S. Deportation Scene Revealed

Embezzled 6.2 Billion KRW in Deposits from 90 Tenants
Deported from the United States After "Empty Jar Jeonse" Fraud

It was belatedly revealed that photos of a couple who fled to the United States after embezzling 6.2 billion KRW in deposits from 90 tenants in Daejeon have been released.

On the 20th of last month (local time), the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) released photos on its official website showing the deportation of the couple in their 40s, Mr. Nam and Mrs. Choi, who were sent back to Korea the day before. The couple is known to have purchased 11 multi-family houses in the Daejeon area from April 2019 to April 2023 and committed so-called "empty jar Jeonse" fraud. "Empty jar Jeonse" refers to a situation where the building's mortgage loans and tenant deposits exceed the actual value of the property, meaning the remaining value of the building is essentially empty.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has released photos of a couple who fled to the United States after embezzling 6.2 billion won in deposits from 90 tenants. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The couple is accused of deceiving 90 prospective tenants into believing they could fully refund their Jeonse deposits, thereby embezzling 6.2 billion KRW. One of the victims, a 50-year-old man, reportedly took extreme measures in June last year after being defrauded of 80 million KRW in Jeonse deposit by the couple. The couple legally entered the United States through Atlanta International Airport in Georgia on August 19, 2022. Mr. Nam’s sister was residing in Atlanta, and the couple reportedly lived a wealthy lifestyle in an upscale neighborhood there, sending their son to a fencing club.

As investigations by authorities and law enforcement agencies intensified following complaints from the victims, the couple fled from Atlanta to Seattle and continued their escape. However, personal information about Mr. Nam’s sister was leaked online, leading to sightings of the couple. To apprehend them, the Korean National Police Agency obtained an Interpol Red Notice in August 2023 and established cooperation channels with the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Korean branch, the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Seoul branch, and the Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The U.S. Department of Homeland Security promptly revoked their J1 (cultural exchange) visas.

After obtaining intelligence on their residence, the police urgently requested cooperation from the U.S. Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), the agency responsible for deportations. After two months of surveillance, the suspects were arrested. Subsequently, the U.S. federal immigration court issued a voluntary departure order for Mr. Choi and Mr. Nam in November last year, and the couple was deported to Korea last month via commercial flight under escort by the ERO Seattle team and Korean officials.