Multi-Billion Won Fraud Suspect Apprehended by Police While Jaywalking

A wanted man who had been on the run for a year on suspicion of multi-victim fraud amounting to several billion won was apprehended by police while jaywalking.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Mobile Patrol Unit announced on October 28 that it had arrested a man in his 70s, identified as Mr. A, on charges including violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes (fraud).

On October 20, at around 1:00 p.m., the Mobile Patrol Unit was conducting a patrol in the Daerim-dong area of Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, when they spotted Mr. A attempting to jaywalk across a four-lane road. Although officers used the vehicle's loudspeaker to stop him, Mr. A ignored the warning and ran into an alley. The officers pursued him, requested his identification, and attempted to verify his identity.

Mr. A refused to identify himself, claiming, "I am a U.S. citizen." However, after tracking him down, the police confirmed that Mr. A was a wanted suspect with arrest warrants issued for two charges, including fraud. According to the investigation, from 2021 to 2023, he allegedly claimed to have connections with foreign government officials to solicit investments, defrauding investors of approximately 9.6 billion won (about 7 million U.S. dollars), and had been on the run for a year since last year.

A police official stated, "This case demonstrates how the Mobile Patrol Unit prevented criminal activity and apprehended a wanted suspect through detailed foot patrols and identity checks in crime-prone areas," adding, "We will continue to strengthen preventive patrols, especially in areas where violent crime is a concern."

Meanwhile, in August, the Mobile Patrol Unit also apprehended a wanted suspect for a multi-victim cryptocurrency fraud worth 17.7 billion won (about 13 million U.S. dollars) who tried to leave the scene after discarding a cigarette butt near Sillim Station.