Claimed to Be a Wealthy Son and Third Sister... Common-Law Couple Sentenced to Prison for Defrauding 81 Million Won Through Marriage Fraud

Pretending to Be Siblings While in a Common-Law Relationship
Defrauded 81 Million Won Worth of Cash and Valuables

A man and woman in a common-law relationship have both been sentenced to prison for deceiving others by pretending to be siblings and fraudulently obtaining tens of millions of won under the pretense of marriage.

Gwangju District Court Exterior View

According to the legal community on August 6, Kim Jiyeon, presiding judge of the Criminal Division 6 of the Gwangju District Court, sentenced A (43) and B (54), who were tried on fraud charges, to two years and one year in prison, respectively.

The two were charged with defrauding victim C of a total of 81 million won in cash and valuables over approximately one year and four months, from May 2018 to September 2019, by using marriage as bait.

After C had divorced and was raising a child alone, A approached C by introducing himself as “the son of a wealthy family that operates large wedding halls in Seoul and Gwangju.” B pretended to be A’s “third eldest sister” and actively encouraged the marriage. However, A and B were not siblings, but in reality had been living together as a common-law couple for several years. They concealed their relationship and pretended to be siblings while defrauding C under various pretexts.

They repeatedly demanded money under the guise of prayer fees, jeonse loan arrangements, and furnishing a newlywed home. They also borrowed and used C’s credit card and activated a mobile phone under the name of C’s father. B reassured C by claiming she would repay the expenses.

In addition to victimizing C, they also approached acquaintances, proposing to “jointly operate an entertainment establishment” and borrowed money under the pretense of investment funds. They then deceived these individuals by claiming that 3.6 million won was needed as a prayer fee for a famous fortune-teller to wish for business success. Most of the money they obtained was found to have been spent on entertainment and living expenses.

The court stated, “The defendants deceived others about their identities and financial status, and caused significant harm by pretending to seek marriage. A has a prior conviction for a similar offense and has not made restitution to the victim. B also actively participated in the crime and shared in the proceeds. Considering these factors, prison sentences are unavoidable.”