Game addict arrested for baby formula fraud

By Rha Hae-sung

Seoul police arrested a woman Monday for allegedly swindling milk powder consumers out of tens of millions of won to use for online games to which she was addicted.

The woman, in her 30s, surnamed Ahn, allegedly advertised infant milk formula online at half the average retail price on South Korean resale website Jungonara. A total of 174 people paid 42 million won ($37,000) for the product, which they never received.

The woman spent the money partly on buying virtual coins used in the games.

Ahn allegedly enticed some people into making an extra purchase by sending only a sample as the first purchase. She also fabricated invoice numbers for delivery and sent them to buyers via text messages.

Seoul Guro police said Ahn spent the money to repay 20 million won ($18,000) in loans, for living expenses and playing games in internet cafes.

Ahn said in her statement, “Overspending habits and game addiction drew me into the crime.”

A police official recommended that online shoppers use the Cybercop application to check whether any complaints had been made about the sellers.

“In cases of direct trades between individuals, it is safer to rely on an escrow service in which the third party keeps the money until the merchandise is delivered to the buyer,” the official said.