"I’m from the district office welfare department" – thief targeting elderly people living alone sent to prosecutors

[Financial News] A thief who posed as a district office welfare official, accompanied elderly people living alone to their homes, and stole their cash has been sent to prosecutors while under arrest.
According to police on the 6th, Seoul Jongam Police Station arrested a man in his 40s, identified as A, on charges of theft and fraud and referred him to the prosecution in custody on the 3rd.
Ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday in February, A allegedly approached elderly people on the street, gained their trust by falsely claiming to be a district office welfare official, then accompanied them to their homes and stole their cash.
At the victim’s home, he reportedly diverted attention by saying, "I’d like a cup of coffee," then rummaged through a bag in the living room, stole cash and a wallet, and fled.
A few days later, he is believed to have used the same method to steal cash from another elderly person’s home, repeating the crime three times in total.
Noting the similarities in the methods used in each reported case, police combined the investigations and tracked his movements through CCTV analysis. They then identified the motel where A was hiding, conducted a stakeout, urgently arrested him, obtained an arrest warrant, and referred the case to prosecutors.
At the time of his arrest, A was carrying 500,000 won in cash, which was later confirmed to have been taken that same morning from another elderly victim he had deceived.
Ryu Kyung-suk, Chief of Jongam Police Station, stated, "Impersonation crimes targeting vulnerable groups such as the elderly are occurring frequently," and urged, "Do not let down your guard against unfamiliar visitors, and if you encounter a suspicious situation, please contact the police immediately for assistance."
jyseo@fnnews.com Reporter Seo Ji-yoon Reporter