Fraudster Declared 'Deceased' After Long-Term Flight Abroad... Prosecution Petitions to Restore Legal Identity

Fled Overseas After Crime, Legally Declared Deceased
Prosecution Petitions to Cancel Declaration of Disappearance, Restores Legal Identity
Interviews with Victims to Facilitate Compensation and Recovery

The prosecution has taken direct action to restore the legal identity of a defendant who had been declared missing by the court after fleeing overseas for an extended period. This measure was taken to ensure the recovery of crime victims and to protect the rights of those involved in the case.

The Criminal Division 6 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office (Chief Prosecutor Lee Sijun) announced on January 23 that, during the investigation of a defendant who had been detained for fraud, they discovered that the defendant had been declared missing and presumed dead after a long period of hiding abroad. The prosecution directly petitioned the court to cancel the declaration of disappearance, thereby restoring the defendant’s legal identity.

According to the prosecution, a suspect identified as A, who was accused of cryptocurrency investment fraud, fled to Cambodia after committing the crime. As the stay abroad became prolonged, the family filed a missing person report with the court, and the suspect was legally considered deceased in South Korea.

The declaration of disappearance is a legal system in which a person is presumed dead by the court if their whereabouts or life status remain unknown for five years, or if they have suffered a perilous event (such as war or an airplane crash) and their status remains unknown for one year after the event has ended.

The prosecution explained that they petitioned the court to cancel the declaration of disappearance because the defendant was unable to do so directly due to severed ties with family, and because account restoration was necessary for compensating victims, as well as the need for access to welfare benefits such as medical insurance.

The prosecution stated, "We are currently conducting direct interviews with victims to coordinate mutual agreements and, with the cooperation of those involved, are proceeding with the process of securing frozen cryptocurrency and paying compensation to victims." They added, "We will continue to conduct thorough investigations while striving to protect the rights of those involved and to safeguard victims through substantial recovery of damages, in our role as public representatives."