Customs Official Embezzles 140 Million Won in Overseas Direct Purchase Duty Refunds

An Incheon Airport Customs official has been referred to the prosecution for embezzling customs duty refunds that buyers were supposed to receive during the process of returning overseas direct purchase (direct import) items.

On April 22, the Incheon International Airport Police Unit announced that it had recently detained and referred to the prosecution a customs official in his 30s, identified as A, from the Incheon Airport Customs, on charges including fraud.

A is accused of embezzling approximately 140 million won in customs duty refunds that buyers were entitled to receive from overseas direct purchase returns, from late 2019 to early 2022.

Incheon Airport Headquarters Customs

The Incheon Airport Customs conducted its own investigation and reported A to the police. The police investigation found that A acted alone and had no accomplices.

A police official stated, "Most people are not familiar with customs duty refunds, which appears to be why the crime continued for a long period," and added, "The criminal proceeds embezzled by A have not been recovered."