Judgment sentencing a Vietnamese-born defendant to 4 years in prison for defrauding Vietnamese people of money

Who this helps

This may help people looking into criminal cases where money was taken from migrants under the promise of nationality or visa help. It covers one fraud case, so it is not a guide to every similar situation.

Case overview

Case number

2016고단7027

Court

Busan District Court

Posted on original board

Jul 31, 2017 (Mon)

Topic

Criminal Cases

Original title (Korean)

한국 남자와 결혼하여 한국 국적을 취득한 베트남인인 피고인이 베트남인들을 상대로…

The defendant is a Vietnamese person who acquired Korean nationality by marrying a Korean man. The defendant took more than 1 eok 8,000 man won (KRW) from 29 Vietnamese people, claiming to arrange Korean nationality and visas for them. The defendant also took more than 3,000 man won (KRW), claiming it was for the surgery and hospital fees of a Vietnamese couple's child. These surgery and hospital costs had already been covered by donations from a welfare foundation broadcast, but the defendant concealed this fact from the victim.

What sentence did the court give for taking money by promising Korean nationality and visas?

The defendant was a Vietnamese-born person who gained Korean nationality by marrying a Korean man. The defendant took money from 29 Vietnamese people by saying the defendant would arrange Korean nationality and visas. The defendant also took money for a Vietnamese couple's child's surgery and hospital bills. Those costs had already been covered by donations from a welfare foundation broadcast, and the defendant hid this from the victim. The court sentenced the defendant to 4 years in prison.

How the court ruled

The court sentenced the defendant to 4 years in prison.

What to check in a similar situation

Official bodies such as the immigration office and the courts are where the actual procedures for acquiring nationality and getting visas, and the records of criminal cases, can be checked.

• Find support centers
• Emergency phone numbers
• Contacts: Korea Legal Aid Corporation 132

Terms explained

Fraud

Getting money from someone by deceiving them. Here, it means taking money under false promises and by hiding the truth.

Acquiring nationality

Becoming a citizen of a country. The defendant gained Korean nationality through marriage to a Korean man.

Prison sentence

A punishment in which the convicted person is held in prison for a set period. Here, the court set it at 4 years.

More rulings on this topic

• Ruling sentencing a defendant to 1 year in prison for illegal entry, illegal stay and aiding another person's illegal entry · Busan District Court
• Students' submission of bank balance certificate found to be an application by improper means · Seoul Eastern District Court
• Court upholds departure order for foreign national fined for drunk driving · Daegu District Court

See all 28 rulings on Criminal Cases →

Frequently asked questions

Who was the defendant in this case?

The defendant was a Vietnamese-born person who married a Korean man and gained Korean nationality. The victims were also Vietnamese people.

How did the court rule?

The court sentenced the defendant to 4 years in prison for taking money from the victims.

Does this result apply to every similar case?

No. It is the court's decision in this one case and does not apply as is to other cases.