Man Sentenced to 4½ Years for Helping Withdraw and Launder 1.7 Billion Won in Voice-Phishing Proceeds

The Gwangju District Court sentenced a 22-year-old man to four years and six months in prison for helping a voice-phishing organization withdraw and conceal criminal proceeds.

The court said the man collected bankbooks and debit cards that victims had left in mailboxes and other locations. He then withdrew cash and handed it to members of the organization, receiving between 200,000 and 400,000 won for each transaction.

He carried out the activity while traveling between China and South Korea from February through August 2025. Investigators said the losses exceeded 1.7 billion won and involved 31 victims. The man also opened a new mobile phone during the operation and deleted internet search records and chat histories to conceal evidence.

The court ordered him to serve four years and six months in prison and forfeit 1.2 million won. The panel said voice-phishing crimes target unspecified members of the public in a planned and organized way, causing extensive harm. It also cited the absence of compensation and the fact that victims had not forgiven him.

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Telecommunications financial fraud is carried out in a planned and organized way against unspecified members of the public, causing extensive social harm.