"Development Is Coming Here": Man in His 60s Who Swindled 320 Million Won Receives Suspended Sentence on Appeal

Prison Sentence in First Trial...
Settlement with Victim in Appeal
Sentence Reduced to 1 Year and 6 Months in Prison,
Suspended for 3 Years

A man in his 60s who deceived an acquaintance and embezzled over 100 million won in land sale proceeds under the pretext of real estate development benefits was sentenced to prison in the first trial, but his sentence was reduced to a suspended sentence on appeal.

According to the legal community on May 1, the Jeonju District Court Criminal Division 3-3 (Presiding Judge Jung Sejin) sentenced A (age 63), who was indicted on fraud charges, to one year and six months in prison, suspended for three years. Previously, in the first trial, A was sentenced to one year and eight months in prison without suspension.

A was accused of deceiving his acquaintance B from September 2017 to April 2018 by claiming that land in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, would more than double in value due to an upcoming apartment development. Through four separate transactions, A embezzled a total of approximately 320 million won. When B requested a certified copy of the land register, A lied, claiming to have already purchased the land, and then cut off contact, according to the investigation.

The first trial court sentenced A to prison, citing the fact that he had not been forgiven by the victim and that he had prior convictions for similar offenses. However, during the appeal, A deposited 140 million won with the court for criminal compensation, promised to pay an additional 200 million won, reached a settlement with the victim, and the victim expressed that they did not wish for punishment.

The appellate court stated, "The defendant's crime is serious, as he abused a relationship of trust and caused significant harm, and his prior convictions for similar offenses are unfavorable factors. However, considering that he reached a settlement with the victim and the victim does not wish for punishment, the original sentence is deemed too heavy."