After being gaslighted to release $1.9M by an acquaintance in exchange for THIS, an idol from a famous group received justice after the suspect was sentenced to nine years in prison.
K-pop Idol Gaslighted by Acquaintance, Extorted of $2M Worth of Money
On April 10, various news outlets released a blind item article about an idol, who became a victim of extortion.
While his identity wasn't revealed, idol A is said to be a former member of a popular group.
Based on the article, the case started in June 2019 when Idol A was booked on charges of sexually harassing two women.
Acquaintance B, who is said to be a broadcast writer and has a close relationship with the idol, approached him, promising to offer help.
At the time, B said:
"I have connections within the prosecution, so I will get you acquitted. I need money to give to a high-ranking prosecutor."
Deceived by these words, the star initially gave B money worth 1.6 billion won (1.9 million USD). But little did he know, B had no contact with the prosecutors and he didn't give the money to them.
In December 2019, the idol was acquitted and thinking that the prosecutors did help, B approached him again and demanded A to give him more money, threatening him that the court was trying to overturn the acquittal.
Idol A was too trusting that he gave his bank account and passwords to B and finally stole another 1 billion KRW (741.4k USD), which included money borrowed from a bank using the idol's house as collateral.
Not only this but about 218 pieces of luxury goods and a gold bag possessed by Idol A were also taken.
B Sentenced to 9 Years in Prison on Charges of Fraud, Violation of Lawyer's Act
After being gaslighted and defrauded, idol A sued B and in July 2023, the prosecution indicted the latter on charges of fraud and violation of the Lawyer's Act.
On the first trial, B was sentenced to 9 years in prison in January. The Seoul Southern District Court also ruled:
“Mr. B must pay 2.6 billion won to Mr. A. At the time of the sexual harassment incident, Mr. A must have been anxious because the broadcast he had already filmed could be ‘completely edited,’ which could have a significant impact on his celebrity activities.
There is a possibility that he could have been easily deceived by Mr. B, whom he always trusted. Mr. A has lost the wealth he had accumulated throughout his life due to this incident and is experiencing extreme pain, but Mr. B denies the entire crime and is not reflecting at all, even though the nature of the crime is very bad when looking at the method, period, and amount of money stolen."
The prosecution and B filed an appeal over the first trial ruling and it is reported that the second trial is currently underway at the Seoul High Court.
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Written by Eunice Dela Cruz
