Lied About "Helping Father Who Is Ill"... Dating App Scammer Arrested

Arrested for Swindling 52 Million Won
Through a Blind Date Application
by Gaining the Victim's Trust

Daegu Seobu Police Station announced on the 17th that they had arrested Mr. A (in his 40s) for defrauding a victim of 52 million won by gaining their trust through a blind date application.

Daegu Police Agency. Photo by Byunggun Kwon

According to the police, in April, Mr. A approached the victim, Mr. B, on the online dating application '○○Date' using a fake profile photo. Over approximately four months, they developed a romantic relationship through non-face-to-face online chats. Mr. A then claimed, "I am struggling with living expenses while caring for my sick father. If you lend me money, I will definitely repay you," and received transfers from the victim on 50 occasions, embezzling the funds.

The police investigation confirmed that Mr. A used the stolen money to pay off debts or for living expenses.

A Daegu police official stated, "If someone you meet through non-face-to-face dating applications or social networking services (SNS) builds a relationship and then appeals to your sympathy or pity to request money, it is highly likely to be a scam." The official emphasized, "We will strictly crack down on such scams, considering the negative impact these crimes have on the livelihoods of ordinary people."