Man in His 20s Sentenced to 10 Years for Handing Acquaintance Over for Confinement in Cambodia... "Level of Criminal Involvement Was Severe"

[Financial News] As illegal organizations in the Kingdom of Cambodia draw attention, several individuals in their twenties who handed an acquaintance over to an illegal group in Cambodia and had him confined have received sentences harsher than those sought by prosecutors.
On the 22nd, the Seoul Central District Court’s Criminal Division 29, presided over by Presiding Judge Eom Ki-pyo of the Seoul Central District Court, sentenced the main perpetrator, Mr. Shin (26), to 10 years in prison on charges including enticing a person abroad, transporting a person for the purpose of abduction, and joint unlawful confinement. Mr. Park (26) and Mr. Kim (27), who were tried as accomplices, received sentences of 5 years and 3 years and 6 months, respectively.
Prosecutors had sought 9 years for Mr. Shin, 7 years for Mr. Park, and 5 years for Mr. Kim, but the court handed down sentences that were unusually higher than the prosecution’s recommendations.
They were charged with luring the victim, Mr. A (26), to the Kingdom of Cambodia and handing him over to an illegal organization, resulting in his confinement.
The court explained, "The defendants conspired to deceive the victim and lure him abroad under the pretense of repaying an unjust debt. The victim, deceived by these lies, was transported to Cambodia and placed under the control of a local criminal organization. Subsequently, the defendants, in collusion with local criminal members, confined the victim for a significant period."
The court further stated, "Given the purpose and circumstances of the crime, the division of roles among the perpetrators, the methods used, and the duration of the confinement, the nature of the crime is extremely grave." The court cited several aggravating factors: the immeasurable physical and psychological suffering inflicted on the victim; the lack of any meaningful effort by the defendants to restore the victim; and the fact that the victim has not forgiven the defendants.
The court particularly emphasized the severity of Mr. Shin’s actions as the main perpetrator. It noted that Mr. Shin threatened his accomplices to involve the victim in the crime and knowingly sent him to Cambodia, fully aware that he would be confined by a local criminal group.
Mr. Kim, who owned a restaurant, and Mr. Park, who managed a delivery service, were approached by Mr. Shin with a proposal for a 'luxury car VIN scam.' Mr. Park instructed Mr. A to participate, but he did not follow through. Mr. Shin then claimed that Mr. Kim and Mr. Park had incurred losses of 65 million won and threatened that he would forgive their debts if they sent Mr. A to Cambodia.
They told Mr. A, "We know people who are planning to start a tourism business in Cambodia. If you obtain business contracts from Koreans staying there, your debt will be cleared."
After Mr. A left the country, he was handed over to members of an illegal criminal organization in Cambodia. The criminals confiscated his mobile phone, passport, and ID card, and used his bank account for voice phishing schemes. When Mr. A’s account was frozen, the criminals reportedly showed him videos of other kidnapped victims being tortured and ordered him to tell his parents to send money for the frozen funds and for procuring new bank accounts.
Mr. A eventually escaped after about 20 days of confinement with the help of staff from the Embassy of the Republic of Korea who visited his hotel. The site where Mr. A was held was described as a criminal compound consisting of call centers and dormitory buildings, guarded by security personnel and surrounded by walls 2 to 3 meters high.

theknight@fnnews.com Jung Kyung-soo Reporter