Two South Korean police officers are currently standing trial for alleged bribery in connection with a high-profile crypto fraud case involving a scam orchestrated by a crypto fraudster named Tak. Tak is accused of running an art-themed altcoin scam and duping several victims out of approximately $2.1 million worth of fiat and crypto. The case involves a 59-year-old superintendent police officer and a 57-year-old police lieutenant from the same station. The superintendent allegedly received cash bribes from a legal broker to promote the lieutenant to a higher rank. Both officers have been suspended from their posts during the trial.
The legal broker, named Seong, allegedly paid the superintendent over $7,300 in cash bribes in two separate encounters at restaurants. Seong has confessed to putting envelopes full of cash into both police officers’ coat pockets while they were hanging on pegs in the restaurant. The defense has challenged the accuracy of the allegations and questioned the timing of the promotion request, as it occurred after the police force typically finalizes its list of promotion candidates. Seong claimed that he was in a hurry at the time and did not remember many details of the events in February 2022.
In addition to the two police officers, 18 more individuals have been implicated in the case, including former and current prosecutors, police officials, and another broker. The investigation has revealed a network of contacts within the local police force and prosecution services, suggesting a web of corruption surrounding the alleged crypto fraudster. The plan to bribe prosecution officials and police officers to clear the name of the fraudster appears to have backfired, as a Mokpo prosecutor was jailed for accepting bribes from Seong.
The court heard testimonies from witnesses and is set to reconvene on June 11 to continue the trial. The prosecution has indicted a total of 18 people in connection with the case, indicating the scale and complexity of the allegations. The involvement of multiple law enforcement and legal professionals highlights the challenges of combating crypto fraud and corruption in South Korea. The unfolding trial sheds light on the depths of bribery and influence within the law enforcement and legal systems, raising concerns about integrity and accountability in the handling of financial crimes in the country. The outcome of the trial will be closely watched as a test of the justice system’s ability to address such cases effectively.
