Seoul police have arrested a man in his 20s for deceiving a woman with borderline intellectual disability and withdrawing approximately 8 million won ($6,000) in disability benefits from an ATM machine.
ATM Theft in Yeongdeungpo
Officers from the Yeongdeungpo Police Station apprehended the suspect on October 29 after receiving reports of computer fraud involving an ATM. The arrest followed confirmation of his involvement in the incident on October 10 at an ATM in Seoul’s Yeongdeungpo-gu district.
The suspect allegedly assisted the victim, a woman in her 40s with borderline intellectual disability, under the pretense of helping with a large withdrawal. He then directly withdrew around 8 million won, including her disability benefits and deposit funds.
Pattern of Exploitation
Investigators reveal the man had targeted at least 40 women with similar disabilities since September. He promised help with withdrawals and received payments in cash, gift certificates, and phone top-ups totaling about 809 million won, which he withdrew via ATMs.
In July 2024, while employed at an agency in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, the suspect approached the victim as a customer. He persuaded her to open a new account for installment payments on a purchase, exploiting her vulnerability.
Broader Criminal Activities
Further probes show the woman was implicated in operating illegal gambling sites. The suspect used her personal information to illegally accrue roughly 130 million won online through unauthorized bets.
Police caught the man again posing as a PC room employee in Jugeoji. Despite prior summons, he returned to Seoul on October 27, leading to his capture by investigators.
Authorities plan to formally charge the suspect soon as the investigation continues.
