Korean Police Officer Accused Of Covering Up Celebrity Fraud In Exchange For Room Salon Entertainment

On April 16, suspicions were raised that a police officer from the Seoul Gangnam Police Station, who is accused of covering up a case involving a famous influencer who was sued for receiving entertainment at room salons and money, also suppressed another fraud investigation at the same station. It was confirmed that Gangnam Police Station closed and halted investigations, including deciding not to forward both the influencer’s case and the fraud case.

According to a comprehensive report by this newspaper, the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Office Joint Investigation Unit for Financial and Securities Crimes is investigating Inspector C on suspicion of being involved in decisions not to forward multiple cases filed at Gangnam Police Station after receiving lobbying from parties related to the cases. Inspector C worked at Gangnam Police Station from 2022 until recently as the head of the economic crimes team and investigation team, handling various financial cases.

Inspector C is accused of deciding not to forward a case in July 2024 in which an influencer was sued on charges such as fraud and violation of the Franchise Business Act, and of leaking information about related cases from another team. The prosecution’s view is that the influencer’s husband delivered a request to Inspector C through a superintendent he was acquainted with, and that Inspector C covered up the case. In return, the husband is said to have provided entertainment at room salons and money to Inspector C and others.

It is further reported that evidence was later found suggesting the husband asked Inspector C to also take care of another acquaintance’s case. D had been booked at the Gangnam Police Station at the time on fraud charges, and allegedly requested that the case be covered up. In fact, it is said that the Gangnam Police Station also decided not to forward the accquaintance’s case last year. Inspector C did not respond to this newspaper’s inquiries regarding these allegations.