Lawyer who took on gambling cases blew client funds on gambling

A lawyer who allegedly pocketed more than 200 million won ($133,000) in retainer and settlement fees from clients has been detained and referred to prosecutors.

According to the Incheon Michuhol Police Station, the attorney, a man in his 50s, was arrested June 21 on fraud charges and has since been sent to prosecutors in custody.

The suspect, identified only by the surname initial A, is accused of collecting 240 million won from eight clients under the pretext of taking on their cases — covering retainer fees and settlement money — from late 2023 through recently, and keeping the funds for himself.

Investigators found that he cut off all contact with clients after receiving the payments.

During police questioning, A reportedly said he became addicted to gambling while handling gambling-related cases and spent the money on gambling.

Police received multiple complaints against A from late 2024 through last year and launched an investigation. They arrested him and sought an arrest warrant in April last year, but prosecutors did not follow through with a formal warrant request.

A subsequently ignored police summons and went into hiding before officers tracked him down and arrested him June 21 at a lodging facility in South Jeolla Province.

A court issued an arrest warrant citing flight risk, among other reasons.