Three detained for fraud after claiming Cheong Wa Dae connections

By Lee Kyung-min

Police said Sunday that they detained three men for allegedly swindling two people out of 200 million won earlier this year after pretending to work for Cheong Wa Dae.

According to officers at Hyehwa Police Station, one suspect, identified only by his surname Kim, 59, bears a striking resemblance to Kim Ki-choon, the former Chief of Staff to President Park Geun-hye. He is suspected of defrauding the two victims by pretending to be a relative of the former member of the presidential staff.

Kim and his two accomplices, who all have convictions for similar previous offences, are suspected of taking 100 million won each from the two victims after they deceived them by saying they managed state funds stashed in secret accounts.

The three told the victims that they would return the money with 100 percent interest within days, as well as 3 billion won as a reward in the near future.

They are also suspected of forcing the victims to draft a contract stating that they would be subject to criminal prosecution if they divulged information about the secret fund.

Police are continuing their investigation to determine whether there are additional victims.