20s Man Gets 20 Years for Stealing $7M from Girlfriend's Wealthy Parents in Shocking Romance Scam

The Shocking Romance Scam That Rocked South Korea

Did you know that romance scams have become one of the most devastating financial crimes in South Korea? A recent case has sent shockwaves through the nation as a man in his 20s was sentenced to 20 years in prison for orchestrating an elaborate fake relationship scheme that netted him 10 billion won ($7.21 million) from his girlfriend's wealthy parents.

The Daegu District Court's Criminal Division 11 handed down the sentence on July 16, 2025, marking one of the most severe punishments for romance fraud in recent Korean legal history. The defendant, identified only as Mr. A, had previously faced a prosecution request for 30 years in prison, making this case particularly notable for its scale and impact on the victims.

What makes this case particularly disturbing is not just the enormous sum involved, but the calculated psychological manipulation employed by the perpetrator. As the court noted, this was not a typical fraud case – it involved the complete psychological destruction of the victims, going far beyond mere financial damage to fundamentally destroy their sense of trust and security.

The case has sparked intense discussions across Korean online communities about the vulnerability of wealthy families to such sophisticated scams and the need for greater awareness about romance fraud tactics. Many netizens have expressed outrage at the defendant's methods, while others have raised concerns about how such large sums of money could be transferred without proper safeguards.

The Elaborate Deception: How the Scam Unfolded

The crime spanned from November 2023 to March 2025, during which Mr. A systematically approached and manipulated a woman in her 20s, pretending to be romantically interested in her. According to court documents and prosecution evidence, the defendant used sophisticated psychological manipulation techniques to gain the trust of both the victim and her parents.

The victim's parents, who had accumulated significant wealth through their money-lending business, kept substantial amounts of cash both at home and in various bank accounts. Mr. A exploited the romantic relationship to gain access to these funds, gradually convincing the family to transfer increasingly large amounts of money to him under various pretenses.

What sets this case apart from typical romance scams is the sheer scale and the victim profile. Unlike online romance scams that typically target lonely individuals through dating apps or social media, this was a face-to-face manipulation that involved an entire family's financial foundation. The defendant's ability to maintain the deception for over a year while systematically draining the family's wealth demonstrates a level of psychological sophistication that has alarmed law enforcement officials.

Korean netizens on platforms like Nate and Naver have been particularly vocal about this aspect of the case, with many expressing disbelief at how someone could maintain such an elaborate deception for such an extended period. Comments range from sympathy for the victims to criticism of the family's apparent lack of financial safeguards.

The Money Trail: Sophisticated Laundering Techniques

Perhaps the most concerning aspect of this case is how Mr. A laundered approximately 7 billion won of the stolen money using gift card schemes. This method, known in Korean criminal circles as 'gift card laundering' or '상품권깡,' has become increasingly popular among fraudsters because it makes financial tracking extremely difficult for law enforcement.

The defendant converted the stolen cash into various types of gift cards, which he then sold to individual gift card dealers who specialize in converting these cards back into untraceable cash. This sophisticated money laundering operation demonstrates a level of criminal organization that goes beyond simple fraud into the realm of organized financial crime.

His accomplice, Mr. B, who was sentenced to one year in prison with a two-year suspended sentence, played a crucial role in storing and moving some of the laundered funds. The relatively light sentence for Mr. B reflects the court's assessment that he was not fully aware of the criminal nature of the funds before his arrest.

Despite the sophisticated laundering operation, prosecutors were able to seize approximately 2.9 billion won in cash, gift cards, luxury watches, and designer bags during their investigation. However, the location of the remaining 7 billion won remains unknown, leading to speculation that Mr. A may have additional hidden assets that could allow him to live comfortably after his release from prison.

Court's Harsh Judgment: Beyond Financial Crime

The Daegu District Court's decision to sentence Mr. A to 20 years in prison, while 10 years less than the prosecution's request, still represents one of the harshest sentences for romance fraud in recent Korean legal history. The court's reasoning provides insight into how Korean judicial system views such crimes.

Judge Lee Young-chul, who presided over the case, specifically noted that this was not a normal fraud case. The court emphasized that the defendant's actions went far beyond causing financial damage – they fundamentally destroyed the victims' psychological well-being and personal dignity. The judge stated that the crime 'not only shook the victims' economic foundation but also destroyed and devastated them as individuals.'

This language is particularly significant in the Korean legal context, where courts traditionally focus heavily on financial restitution and the defendant's ability to repay victims. The emphasis on psychological damage and personal destruction indicates a growing recognition within the Korean judicial system of the broader impact of romance fraud on victims' mental health and social standing.

The court also considered the fact that Mr. A was a repeat offender, having committed the crime during a probationary period for previous offenses. This factor significantly influenced the harsh sentence, as Korean courts typically impose more severe punishments for repeat offenders, especially those who commit crimes while on probation or parole.

Community Reaction: Outrage and Calls for Reform

The case has generated intense discussion across Korean online communities, with reactions ranging from outrage to calls for systemic reform. On popular community sites like theqoo, Nate Pann, and Instiz, users have expressed shock at both the scale of the fraud and the sophisticated methods employed by the defendant.

Many netizens have focused on the concerning fact that approximately 7 billion won remains unaccounted for, leading to widespread speculation that Mr. A will be able to live comfortably after serving his sentence. Comments like 'He'll probably live it up when he gets out' and 'Where did the 7 billion won go?' have become common refrains in online discussions.

The case has also sparked broader conversations about the vulnerability of wealthy families to sophisticated fraud schemes. Many community members have criticized the victim's family for not having proper financial safeguards in place, while others have defended them, pointing out that the psychological manipulation involved makes it difficult to blame the victims.

Korean financial experts posting on blogs and forums have used this case to highlight the need for better financial literacy and awareness about romance fraud tactics. Several popular Korean YouTubers and influencers have created content about the case, helping to spread awareness about the warning signs of romance scams and the importance of maintaining financial boundaries in relationships.

The Broader Impact: Romance Scams in Korean Society

This case represents a troubling trend in Korean society, where traditional values around family trust and financial support are being exploited by sophisticated criminals. The concept of 'romance scams' or '로맨스 스캠' has become increasingly familiar to Korean audiences, but this case demonstrates how these crimes are evolving to target not just individuals but entire family networks.

The case has also highlighted the challenges faced by Korean law enforcement in tracking and recovering funds from sophisticated money laundering operations. The use of gift card laundering schemes represents a growing challenge for financial investigators, as these transactions often fall outside traditional banking oversight mechanisms.

Korean legal experts have noted that this case may influence future legislation regarding financial fraud and money laundering. The sophisticated methods employed by the defendant have exposed gaps in current financial monitoring systems, particularly regarding large cash transactions and gift card purchases.

For international observers, this case provides insight into the unique challenges faced by Korean society as it balances traditional family values with modern financial systems. The fact that the victim's family kept such large amounts of cash at home reflects cultural attitudes toward banking and financial institutions that may be less common in other developed countries. As Korea continues to modernize its financial systems and increase digital transaction monitoring, cases like this serve as important catalysts for reform and increased awareness about the evolving nature of financial crime in the digital age.