Amassed 6.6 Billion Won Through Voice Phishing
Detained, Threatened, and Assaulted Fellow Members
Arrested Through Diplomatic Cooperation... First Trial Set for the 19th
A criminal organization that had been operating in Cambodia moved to Thailand, expanded its influence, and then committed crimes targeting Koreans. Three Koreans who joined this organization have been indicted and will stand trial.
Koreans involved in an online scam in Cambodia were repatriated last month through Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport and are boarding a transport vehicle. Photo by Yonhap News Agency
According to a Yonhap News Agency report on November 2, the 14th Criminal Division of the Seoul Southern District Court (Presiding Judge Lee Jeonghee) announced that the first trial for three individuals, including Mr. A, who have been indicted and detained on charges of joining a criminal organization and violating the Act on the Return of Financial Losses from Telecommunications Fraud, will be held on the 19th.
From April to June of this year, they allegedly joined the so-called "Lunger Company" in Thailand and conducted more than 1,400 voice phishing scams targeting 206 Korean victims, amassing a total of over 6.6 billion won.
The "Lunger Company" is known to be a criminal group that originally operated in the border region of Cambodia and relocated its base to Thailand in October last year. Mr. A reportedly joined the group via Telegram and acted as the leader of the "No-Show Team," directing crimes that involved impersonating military units or civilians.
Koreans involved in online scams in Cambodia are being repatriated through Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 last month. Photo by Yonhap News Agency
Within the organization, even fellow members were subjected to violence. Mr. A is also accused of assaulting a member who tried to leave the group and threatening the member's family when they could not repay a debt. In June, he allegedly called the family of a member who failed to repay 25 million won, saying, "It cost money to rescue your son from a Chinese organization in Cambodia," and threatened, "If you don't pay, I will cut off his fingers and sell him into human trafficking," extorting 9 million won. After this member reported being held captive to the Korean Embassy in Thailand, Mr. A reportedly assaulted him over the issue. However, following a request for cooperation from diplomatic authorities, Thai police launched an investigation and arrested Mr. A locally.
Other executive-level members of the Lunger Company have also been arrested in Thailand and repatriated to Korea, and trials for members of romance scam organizations are currently underway at the Seoul Southern District Court.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
