Electronic Financial Fraud Assistance Case | Suspended Sentence for a Client Suspected of Electronic Financial Fraud

After posting his resume on a part-time job site, the client received contact from Company A and prepared an employment contract.

However, without knowing that the work was related to financial fraud, he came to perform the role of a cash courier on one occasion.

Afterward, upon realizing through the advice of acquaintances that his conduct could constitute a problem of electronic financial fraud, the client immediately stopped the work and contacted the police station on his own initiative, voluntarily appearing for and undergoing an investigation.

In response, the client consulted with a criminal law specialist attorney who had experience handling numerous electronic financial fraud cases and requested help in obtaining the greatest possible leniency.

Where a person commits electronic financial fraud, he or she may be punished under the Special Act on Telecommunications-based Financial Fraud.

Where the offense is committed habitually, the punishment may be aggravated by up to one half of the sentence.

In addition, because electronic financial fraud is conduct that deceives another person to obtain a pecuniary benefit, it may also be punished as the crime of fraud under the Criminal Act.

Level of Punishment for the Crime of Fraud

The principal issues in this electronic financial fraud case were whether the client intentionally participated in the electronic financial fraud offense, and how the fact that the client voluntarily reported the matter and cooperated with the investigation would be reflected in the criminal punishment and sentencing.

A further key issue was whether the facts that the client was a first-time offender with no risk of reoffending, that the client was a university student at the time of the incident who lacked social experience and experience of economic independence, and that the client gained no monetary benefit could influence the judgment.

The client first voluntarily reported his own electronic financial fraud offense to the police and also actively cooperated during the investigation.

Accordingly, the specialist criminal attorney, relying on the facts of the client's voluntary report and cooperation with the investigation, coordinated matters so as to minimize unnecessary questioning or additional investigation during the fraud case inquiry stage, and actively conveyed to the investigative agency the client's good faith and willingness to reflect on his conduct.

The client is a first-time offender of electronic financial fraud with no risk of reoffending, and family members and acquaintances are petitioning for leniency.

Accordingly, the specialist criminal attorney systematically conveyed to the court the client's reflective attitude, the fact that he was a first-time offender, and the absence of any likelihood of reoffending, and actively provided assistance so that the content of the submitted petitions could be reflected favorably at trial.

The client was a university student at the time of the incident who lacked social experience and experience of economic independence, and through this electronic financial fraud case the client in fact gained no monetary benefit or personal gain whatsoever.

Accordingly, the specialist criminal attorney, relying on the client's lack of social experience and the fact that he gained no benefit, actively emphasized these points to the investigative agency and the court and provided systematic assistance so that the client could receive leniency.

In the case of an electronic financial fraud or voice phishing matter, even where one performed only a partial role, there is a high likelihood of being referred to prosecution and indicted.

It is therefore very important to establish a response strategy promptly from the early stage of the case.

Daeryun Law Firm, the ninth-largest law firm in the Republic of Korea (based on 2025 value-added tax filings reported to the National Tax Service), has numerous specialist criminal attorneys and, drawing on extensive experience and know-how in electronic financial fraud cases, provides a tailored response suited to the client's circumstances.

At the early stage of the case, the firm responds to the investigative agency's inquiry, reviews the evidence, and organizes the client's voluntary reflection and cooperation in order to establish a strategy that may operate favorably for sentencing at the subsequent trial.

If you have become involved in a criminal matter related to electronic financial fraud, please do not delay and 🔗schedule a legal consultation with a criminal attorney to request assistance.