Man in his 20s sentenced to 10 months in prison for extorting 28 million won with false claims of STDs

A man in his 20s was sentenced to a prison term for extorting a large sum of money by lying about contracting a sexually transmitted disease (STD) after having sexual relations with the victim.

On the 19th, Judge Kim Nam-il of the Criminal Division 3 of the Changwon District Court announced that a man identified as A was sentenced to 10 months in prison for charges including extortion.

The court also ordered him to complete a 40-hour stalking treatment program.

In October 2023, A threatened the victim B, claiming, "You gave me an STD, and if you don't pay for the treatment, I will contact your boyfriend and inform him that you have an STD."

He was charged with extorting a total of 28 million won over 56 instances until November of the same year through such threats.

In reality, A had not contracted any STDs and was found to have lied solely for the purpose of extorting money by revealing his sexual encounter with B to others.

Repeated stalking and additional victims

A's criminal acts did not stop there. Despite B clearly expressing her intention to cut off contact, A committed repeated stalking over 78 occasions through text messages and calls.

Additionally, from September 2022 to June 2024, A also committed offenses against another victim, C.

He was charged with extortion for collecting approximately 22.3 million won from C under the pretext of needing a settlement for "urgent matters" over 64 instances.

The court stated, "The scale of the damage amounts to a total of 50 million won, and considering the ages and backgrounds of the victims, the extent of the damage appears considerable." They also noted that "no recovery for the victims has taken place, and comprehensive considerations were given to the serious nature of the threats posed in the extortion."

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