An acquaintance of a jewelry shop owner accused of running off after embezzling 2.8 billion won worth of precious metals left by customers (about 3,000 don of gold) has been handed over to prosecutors while in custody.
Seoul Hyehwa Police Station said on the 27th it had completed its investigation and referred to prosecutors a person surnamed Lee, in his 40s, an acquaintance of the jewelry shop owner who was arrested after stealing and fleeing with about 2.8 billion won worth of precious metals, cash and other items left by customers.
Lee is accused of running off around 6:30 p.m. on the 12th after embezzling gold products left by customers and cash sent to purchase gold bullion on their behalf. More than 30 people are said to have claimed to be victims so far.
Lee was initially known as the jewelry shop owner, but was found to be not the owner, rather a younger acquaintance of the owner. Lee was reportedly in difficult circumstances and had been using a bank account under the jewelry shop owner's name.
On the 23rd, after holding a pre-arrest suspect interrogation (substantive warrant review) for Lee, the court issued a warrant, citing concerns of flight and destruction of evidence.