File photo for illustrative purposes only. [Getty Images Bank]
File photo for illustrative purposes only. [Getty Images Bank]

A man who swindled subway passengers out of more than 3.44 million won ($2,540) by claiming he had no money for his fare has been handed a suspended prison sentence.

Seoul Southern District Court Judge Seo Ji-won sentenced the 61-year-old defendant, identified only as A, to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, on Aug. 27. The court also ordered him to pay 70,000 won in damages to a victim who had filed a compensation claim.

On Sept. 12 last year, A approached victim B at a subway station in Yeongdeungpo-gu and said he had traveled from Daejeon but left his bag and wallet on the train, leaving him unable to get home. He asked to borrow 95,000 won for transportation, promising to repay it. B believed him and immediately transferred 95,000 won to A's postal bank account.

A had been roaming the area around Yeongdeungpo with no intention or means of repaying the money, planning to spend what he collected on living expenses and sports betting.

Over roughly four months through Jan. 5 this year, A defrauded eight victims a total of 42 times, pocketing 3.44 million won. In some cases, he repeatedly targeted the same victim.

Judge Seo said the nature of the offenses was serious, citing the method of the crimes, the number of victims, and the fact that A had reoffended using a similar scheme even after being released following a successful habeas corpus petition. "The defendant has not been forgiven by the victims, and there is no indication he made any effort to make amends," Seo said.


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