A Chinese national who entered Jeju Island under the visa-free entry program has been arrested for pickpocketing tourists.
According to News1 on Wednesday, a Chinese man in his 30s, identified only as A, has been detained and is under police investigation on charges of theft and violation of the Specialized Credit Finance Business Act.
A entered Jeju Island on December 22 through the visa-free entry system and allegedly began stealing mobile phones and wallets from tourists in the Dongmun Traditional Market area starting the following day.
Police investigation revealed that A used stolen credit cards to make overseas purchases worth several million won. Authorities also confirmed evidence that he conspired with an overseas broker he met through social media, agreeing to share the proceeds from his crimes.
A continued his criminal activities through the Christmas holiday period before being apprehended by police on December 26 after a tourist reported the crime at Dongmun Traditional Market. The investigation has identified nine victims so far.
Police plan to investigate whether there are additional victims and accomplices before referring A to prosecutors for indictment in the near future.
