An acquaintance of a jewelry shop owner, accused of running off with 2.4 billion won worth of precious metals (3,000 don of gold) entrusted by customers, has been arrested and detained.
Lee Jong-rok, Director General judge in charge of warrants at the Seoul Central District Court, on the 23rd held a pre-arrest suspect examination (warrant substantive review) for a man in his 40s, a person surnamed Lee, accused of fraud, and issued an arrest warrant, saying there is a concern he could destroy evidence or flee.
Lee is accused of running off around 6:30 p.m. on the 12th with cash sent to have him purchase on behalf of customers gold products and gold bullion that had been entrusted to him. More than 30 people are said to have claimed they were harmed so far.
After his case was reported in the media, Lee voluntarily appeared before police on the 21st and was arrested. Lee was initially known as the jewelry shop owner, but it was found that he is an acquaintance of the proprietor who had been conducting independent business at the store.