상습폭행, 사기결혼 상습범 김기철의 실체

Habitual Assault and Marriage Fraud Perpetrator Kicheol Kim’s True Nature

한국서 에너지 하청공사를 하다 고의부도를 내고 미국으로 도주한 후, 캘리포니아 남북을 오가며 ‘신종 결혼사기’를 치고 있는 사기꾼이 있어 주의가 요망된다. 제보에 따르면 한국서 온 김기철(43)이란 작자로, 케빈이나 조슈아라는 영어이름을 쓰기도 한다.

김기철은 한국서 사업하다 은행과 협력업체에 빌린 자금이 만기가 다가오자 고의부도를 낼 목적으로 미국 이민을 계획했다. 신분해결을 위해 미국에 사는 싱글맘 여성에게 의도적으로 접근했다. 그는 “사업을 확장하려 미국에 가야하는데 혼인신고만 하면 집을 사주겠다”는 말로 환심을 샀다. 기독교 신자로 코스프레 하며 새로운 관계를 찾는 한 여성을 꼬드겨 갖은 이유를 대며 갑작스런 혼인 신고를 했다. 그 뒤 그는 태도가 돌면해 재혼녀에게 사업자금을 대달라고 압박하고 돈을 주지 않으면 상습 폭행과 공갈 협박을 일삼았다. 참다못한 재혼녀의 경찰 신고로 김기철은 미국 프리몬트 교도소에 실형 구속됐다가 지난 5월 가석방 됐다. 또 지난 8월 1일 선고공판에 출석해야 하나 그새 추가 범행으로 인해 형량이 늘어날 것을 우려한 김씨는 한국으로 도주한 것으로 밝혀졌다.

가석방된 김기철은 데이트 중인 재혼 여성의 명의로 차를 구입하고 크레딧 카드를 발급받아 이를 뒤늦게 알게된 여성이 경찰에 신고하면 잠적하는 등 용의주도한 사기 행각을 벌이고 있다. 코로나19 팬데믹 이후 미국, 특히 캘리포니아에서 부동산 가격이 급등하고 최근 고금리로 인해 주택 융자금 상환에 부담을 느낀 한인 싱글맘의 불안한 심리를 겨냥해 노린 신종 결혼 사기 사건의 전모를 파해쳐 본다.

도망자 김기철, 한국서 고의부도 후 미국으로 도주

“전화기를 통해 들려온 그의 목소리는 감미로왔습니다. 나를 닮은 예쁜 딸을 낳자고 했습니다. 한국서 사업을 잘 하고 있다면서 빨리 집마련할 자금을 갖고 올테니 은행 계좌를 오픈하기 위해 혼인신고부터 하자고 했습니다. 아무런 의심없이 혼인신고를 해줬는데, 그 때부터 악몽이 시작됐습니다. 혼인신고를 한 뒤 김기철은 태도가 돌변했고 돈은 가져오지 않고 대출을 받자고 했고 거부했더니 내게 손찌검을 하기 시작했죠.”

미국 팔로알토에서 세계적으로 유명한 스탠포드 병원에 간호사로 근무하던 신수정(45)은 2022년 5월 경 한국의 유명 결혼정보 어플인 여보O를 통해 김기철을 알게 됐다. 

한국 병원에서 근무하던 이민 온 수정은 9년간 살던 교포 남편과 이혼하면서 간호사를 번 돈으로 산 집과 양육권을 빼앗겼다. 수정은 분노와 억울함으로 하루도 수면제나 신경 안정제가  아니면 한숨도 잘 수 없을 정도였다. 교회 사람들이 찾아와서 과거를 털고 새 출발해보라고 격려하는 바람에 재혼 데이팅 앱에 등록을 했다.

그렇게 해서 만난 수정에게 기철을 만났고 달콤한 데이트가 시작되었다. 김기철은 한국에서 대기업을 다니다 본인 회사를 차려 승승장구하고 있다고 자신을 소개했다. 그는 수시로 수정에게 영상통화를 걸어 성경을 읽어주며 마음을 안정시켜주었다. 한두달이 지나며 기철에 대한 호감이 늘어갔다. 어느날 기철은 갑자기 수정이 보고 싶다며 휴가를 내고 샌프란시스코 공항에 도착했다면서 인근 호텔로 오라고 했다. 그날 두사람의 관계는 급진전하게 됐다. 수정은 몸이 실신할 정도로 흔히 ‘홍콩 갔다’는 속설처럼 밤새 수차례의 오르가슴을 느꼈다.
“기철씨는 침대에서 테크닉이 너무 좋았어요. 또, 섹스할 때 좋은 음료라면서 기철씨가 한국서 갖고 온 드링크를 마시게 했는데, 먹고나면 정신이 몽롱해지면서 밤새 몇 번인지 모르게 관계를 갖곤 했어요.”

전 남편과 이혼후 오랫동안 관계에 굶주렸던 수정은 기철에게 빠져들었고 그렇게 6개월만에 결혼식도 없이 미국은 방문비자로 들어온 기철과 혼인신고서에 사인을 해줬다. 그런데 혼인신고를 한 다음날부터 수정에게는 끔찍한 악몽이 기다리고 있었다. 기철은 사업미팅이라면서 중국에서 방문한 낯선 사람들을 끌여들여 술파티를 일삼았다. 그리고 중국에서 온 바이어들에게 미국 아니면 맛보기 힘들거라면서 기철은 준비한 마리화나와 코카인 등을 접대했다.

그 뿐이 아니었다. 기철은 수정이 간호사라는 안정된 신분을 이용해 사업자금 위해 신용대출을 강요했다. 한국서 아파트를 판 돈을 갖고와 미국 팔로알토 고급주택에 집장만을 사겠다고 한 김기철의 말은 모두 거짓말이었다. 수정이가 살고 있던 2베드룸 아파트에서 살아야 했다. 기철에게 대출 압박을 받던 수정은 두 달만에 손찌검과 구타를 당하자 참다못해 샌타클라라 경찰에 신고했다. 출동한 경찰은 집에서 발견한 마약과 수정 얼굴에 난 상처와 집안에 부서진 화장실 문을 보더니 현장에서 김기철을 체포했다. 

김기철을 감옥에갔다고 해서 문제가 해결된 것은 아니였다. 기철은 감옥에서 수정의 병원과 집으로 매일 전화를 했고, 하루 빨리 감옥에서 꺼내지 않으면 죽여버리겠다고 했다. 병원에 수정이의 문제를 다 까발리겠다고 협박했다. 수정은 어렵게 잡은 병원 직장을 잃을까 두려웠고 기철이가 무슨 해코지를 할까 두려웠다. 변호사를 선임해 구치소에서 나온 기철의 협박을 더욱 거세졌다. 수정은 급기야 법원에 접근 금지 명령도 신청했다. 

그러나 출소한 기철은 아무런 일이 없었다는듯이 집으로 매일같이 왔다. 한국식 문화 탓인지, 영어를 이해 못해서인지 법원 명령을 무시하고 무법자처럼 행세했다. 그러면서 수정을 개인 운전사처럼 끌고 다니며 위협했고 기철은 법원의 접근 금지명령 위반으로 다시 체포되었다. 하루는 기철은 전화를 걸어 감옥에서 만난 갱단원을 수정에게 보내 가만 두지 않겠다고 했고, 실제로 출근을 앞둔 어느 아침에 차가 박살이 나 있었다. 공포를 느낀 수정은 즉시 경찰 신고를 하고 이사를 했지만 두려움 때문에 병원신세를 지게 되었다. 검찰은 이 사건은 가족 폭행에서 갱단을 이용한 조직적 공갈,협박 등의 중범죄를 추가해 기소했다.    

본지 조사에 따르면 김기철(43)은 한국에서 에너지 하청공사 업체 “Tami Corporation”를 운영하던 중 고의부도를 내고 미국으로 도주한 인물이다. 그가 야기한 부도액은 수십억원에 달하며, 주로 지인과 이전 직장동료, 선후배로 구성된 피해자들을 양산했다. 보성 파워텍 신기석 부장은 김기철의 Tami Corporation에 용역을 밀어주는 조건으로 회사 지분을 챙겼다. 그래서 보성파워텍의 하청공사가 늘어나면서 신기석 부장은 파워케미칼이라는 회사를 별도로 차렸고 이 공사용역을 처리하던 김기철이 갑자기 잠적하는 바람에 잠시 어려움을 겪기도 했다.

한국에서 더이상 자금을 빌리기가 어렵자 김기철은 부도직전 미국으로 도주할 목적으로 이민 등을 알아봤지만, 수속기간이 길어지면서 미국 간호사 등 안정적인 신분을 가진 배우자와 결혼이 ‘꿩먹고 알도 먹는’ 가장 빠른 이민 방법이라는 사실을 알게됐다. 기철은 다수의 재혼 앱에 등록하고는 본격적으로 결혼 사기 행각을 벌이기 시작했다. 그는 자신의 재력을 과시하며 피해자들에게 접근했다. 특히 싱글맘인 경우에는 전문직이라도 미국 생활이 빠듯하다는 것을 알고는 결혼을 미끼로 기존 주택할부금을 다 갚고 더 큰 집을 사주겠다는 달콤한 말로 유혹했다.

“여보O” 데이팅 앱을 이용한 김기철의 사기 수법

김기철은 통장에 거액이 든 잔고를 보여주거나(나중에 허위 이미지로 판명)나 명품을 데이팅앱 프로필에 과시하는 등 자신의 재력을 자랑하며 피해자들에게접근했고, 결혼을 미끼로 기존주택 모기지를 다 갚고 더 큰 집으로 구입하겠다고 약속했다.

검찰 공소장에 따르면 김씨는 팔로알토 거주하던 수정을 만나 몇번의 화상 채팅과 짧은 방문 데이트 끝에 혼인 신고를 했다. 그는 결혼초기에 “한국서 에너지 사업을 크게 하고 있다”며 재력을 과시한 후 신수정에게 2백만 불짜리 집을 바로 사주겠다고 약속했다. 그러나 결혼 후이런 저런 핑계로 돈을 송금하지 않다가 상습적으로 미정을 구타하는 등 폭력적인 행태를 보였다. 김기철은 오히려 수정이 알콜 중독자로 이웃들과 약물에 취해 난교를 벌였다는 거짓 진술을 작성한 후 다시 감방에 처넣겠다는 공갈 협박을 해왔으나 영어를 한마디도 못하는 ‘벙어리’ 신세라 미수에 그쳤고, 결국 공갈협박에 참지 못했던 수정의 신고로 김기철은 3년의 실형을 복역하게 됐다. 

출소 후에도 이어진 사기 행각

김기철은 프리몬트 교도소에서 2024년 5월 출소한 후에도 결혼 사기 행각을 멈추지 않았다. 그는 “여보O” “돌싱O랑” “다시O랑해” 등 복수의 데이팅앱과 미국 구인구직란을 통해 싱글맘 정보를 취합했다. 타겟이 정해지면 카톡이나 텍스트를 보내 본인이 한국서 “대기업 출신이다” “수출 계약을 해서 대금이 입금되면 돈방석에 앉는다” “방문 비자로 왔다가 좋은 사업체를 발견했다” 등 다양한 레퍼토리로 준비했고, 출소한 전과자 홈리스 출신이라는 점을 숨기고 피해자들에게 접근했다. 그는 주로 간호사, 회계사, 부동산 전문가 등 전문직 출신의 싱글맘 출신의 여성들을 타겟으로 삼았다. 그러면서 관계가 가까워지면 미국 사업에서 비상상황이 발생했다며 피해자들에게 본인의 한국 계좌 잔고 내역만 보여주고“미국 비즈니스 파트너에게 급히 계약금을 보내야 한다” 등의 여러 명목으로 돈을 빌려 떼먹고 도망가는 수법을 사용했다.

제보를 통한 추적 취재

이런 사기행각을 벌이던 김기철의 꼬리가 잡힌 것은 LA를 내려오면서다. 북가주에 활동하던 김기철은 복역 동기들에게도 돈을 빌리고 안갚는 수법을 반복했고 본인의 신분이 노출되자 LA에 내려와 사기 행각을 벌이고 있다는 제보를 받은 기자는 그를 추적 취재하였다. 취재 결과, 김기철은 여전히 결혼 사기 행각을 벌이고 있었으며, 그의 사기 수법은 점점 더 교묘해지고 있어 피해자들은 그의 진짜 정체를 알아차리기 어려웠다. 본지는 김기철의 재판기록을 입수, 피해를 당한 신수정씨와 연락이 닿으면서 김기철의 행태를 파악할 수 있었다.

캘리포니아 전역에서 활동 중인 이 신종 결혼사기꾼의 피해를 막기 위해서는 더욱 철저한 주의가 필요하다. 피해자들은 한번에 인생이 바뀐다는등의 사기꾼의 달콤한 말에 속지 말고, 철저히 검증된 정보를 바탕으로 신중하게 결혼을 결정해야 한다

김기철의 과거와 현재

김기철은 한국에서 에너지 사업을 하며 한때 성공을 꿈꾸던 청년이었다. 하지만 아버지가 사고로 일찍부터 사회생활을 한 그는 취직한 회사에서 상사와 잦은 반목과 다툼으로 2~3년마다 퇴사를 반복하다 사업에 뛰어들었고 2번의 결혼을 통해 사업자금을 마련했다. 데이트하면서 임신시킨 여자친구와 학원을 운영하던 재혼 상대자로부터 결혼 자금을 밑천삼아 회사를 차렸고, 초기에는 사업이 번창하는듯 했으나, 급격한 시장 변화와 경영 미숙으로 인해 회사는 부도를 맞았다. 김기철은 은행대출금과 업체 납부금을 내지못하는 상황을 맞자 고의부도를 내고 미국으로 도주하기로 결심했다.

미국 이민을 알아보던 김기철은 신분해결을 위해 결혼 사기라는 범죄의 길로 접어들었다. 그는 화려한 말솜씨와 거짓말로 많은 여성들을 속였고, 이를 통해 큰 돈을 챙겼다. 수정의 용기 있는 신고로 그는 3년의 실형을 선고받았지만, 교도소에서 출소한 후에도 그의 사기 행각은 멈추지 않았다. 그는 감옥을 “학교”라고 부르면서 수감생활동안 사귄 갱단원들과 사기 결혼 이외에도 크레딧 사기, 마약 운반사업, 노동법 사기 등 다양한 사기수법을 섭렵한 뒤 출소했기에 그의 사기 범죄의 폐해가 심각해지고 있다.  

피해자들의 목소리

김기철의 피해자들은 그의 달콤한 말에 속아 큰 피해를 입었다. 피해자 박모씨는 “그가 처음에는 정말 다정하고 신뢰할 수 있는 사람인 줄 알았다. 성경도 같이 읽자고 했고 신앙심이 깊은 사람인줄 알았다. 하지만 시간이 지나면서 돈을 자꾸 빌려달라고 했고, 나중에는 돈을 못빌려주자 그의 진짜 모습을 알게 되었다. 마음을 다치게 되면서 사람을 못 믿게 된 것이 가장 큰 피해”며 눈물을 흘렸다. 또 다른 피해자 이모씨는”김기철은 정말 교묘한 사기꾼이다. 교회에 같이 나가 뜨거운 기도를 드릴 정도여서 그의 말을 믿고 사업을 벌이다 손해를 봤고 또 거액을투자하려다 혹시나 하고 북가주 지인에게 연락했다가 김기철의 정체를 알게됐다. 그의 말에 속지 말아야 한다”고 경고했다.

결혼 사기 방지를 위한 조언

전문가들은 결혼 사기를 방지하기 위해 몇 가지 조언을 제시하고 있다. 첫째, 상대방의 재력을 맹신하지 말고, 반드시 철저히 검증된 정보를바탕으로 판단해야 한다. 둘째, 데이팅 앱을 통해 만난 사람과 결혼을 결정할 때는 특히 주의가 필요하다. 셋째, 결혼 후 상대방이 폭력적인 행태를 보일 경우, 즉시 신고하고 도움을 요청해야 한다. 

한편 재혼업체 전문가들은 특히 재혼 결혼 사기를 방지하기 위해 다음과 같은 조언을 제시하고 있다.

1. 재력 검증: 상대방이 재력을 자랑할 때는 반드시 철저히 검증된 정보를 바탕으로 판단해야 한다. 재산 증명서, 소득 증명서 등을 요구하여검토하고, 주변 사람들의 평판을 확인하는 것도 중요하다.
2. 신분 확인: 상대방의 신분을 철저히 확인해야 한다. 여권, 운전면허증 등의 신분증을 요구하고, 필요한 경우에는 배경 조사를 통해상대방의 신분을 검증해야 한다.
3. 속도 조절: 결혼을 서두르지 말고 충분한 시간을 두고 상대방을 알아가야 한다. 빠른 결혼을 제안하는 사람은 의심해볼 필요가 있다.
4. 공개된 만남: 상대방과의 만남은 공개된 장소에서 이루어져야 하며, 주변 사람들에게 소개하고 알리는 것이 중요하다. 비공개로 만나는것을 피하고, 주변의 조언을 듣는 것이 좋다.
5. 법적 자문: 결혼 전에는 변호사나 전문가의 법적 자문을 받는 것이 좋다. 결혼 계약서나 재산 분할에 대한 법적 자문을 통해 보호받을 수있다.
6. 금전 거래 주의: 결혼 전에는 금전 거래를 피하고, 상대방이 송금 등을 요구할 때는 신중하게 판단해야 한다. 금전적인 요구를 하는 사람은의심해볼 필요가 있다.

추가 피해를 막으려면 신고부터.

김기철과 같은 신종 결혼사기꾼의 피해를 막기 위해서는 개인의 신중한 판단과 사회적인 경각심이 필요하다. 이번 기사를 통해많은 이들이 경각심을 갖고, 결혼 사기 피해를 예방할 수 있기를 바란다. 캘리포니아 전역에서 활동 중인 이 신종 결혼사기꾼의 실체를 알리며, 피해자들이 더 이상 생기지 않기를 기대한다.

선데이뉴스는 피해자로부터 입수한 김기철의 여권사진을 과감히 공개하는 이유도 추가범죄를 막기 위해서다.

김기철 신분을 가장 쉽게 확인하려면 여권보다는 운전면허증을 보여달라고 해야 한다. 불체자 신분이라ㅡ 일반인처럼 D로 시작하는 번호가 아니라 불체자를 의미하는 Y로 시작한다. 

Habitual Assault and Marriage Fraud Perpetrator Kicheol Kim’s True Nature

Past Offenses of Fraudulent Marriages and Assaults

Kicheol Kim’s New Type of Marriage Fraud

Fled to the U.S. After Deliberate Bankruptcy in Korea “Promised to Buy a House” and Committed Fraudulent Marriages, Habitual Assaults and Extortion, Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison

Approaching Single Moms with Promises of Big Business in Korea and Buying a House

“Pay off your loans and move to a bigger house if we get married,” he promised.

Once the marriage was registered, he pressured his wives for business funds.

After serving a 3-year prison sentence, he hunted victims through dating apps.

There is a scammer who fled to the U.S. after intentionally bankrupting his business in Korea and is now committing a “new type of marriage fraud” in California. According to reports, the scammer is Kicheol Kim (43) from Korea, who also uses the English names Kevin or Joshua. Kim approaches single moms in the U.S. who are preparing for immigration, promising to buy them a house if they register their marriage. Once married, he pressures his new wives for business funds, assaulting and blackmailing them if they refuse. He uses his wife’s name to purchase cars and issue credit cards, and when the wives can’t take it anymore and report him to the police, he disappears, showing a meticulous scam pattern. This fraud case has targeted the uneasy psychology of Korean single moms burdened with housing loans due to skyrocketing real estate prices in California during the COVID-19 pandemic and recent high-interest rates. Here is a full account of the scam.

Kicheol Kim Flees to the U.S. After Intentional Bankruptcy in Korea

“The voice over the phone was sweet. He said he wanted to have a beautiful daughter who looked like me. He claimed he was doing well in business in Korea and wanted to get married as soon as possible so he could bring money quickly. But as soon as we registered the marriage, he started hitting me.”

Mi-jeong (alias) met Kicheol Kim through the famous Korean matchmaking app YeoboO in May 2022.

Mi-jeong, who immigrated from Korea, lost her house and custody of her children after being divorced by her ex-husband, a Korean-American, who she had supported with her nurse’s salary. She was so distraught and resentful that she couldn’t sleep without sleeping pills or tranquilizers. Church members encouraged her to start anew and register on a remarriage dating app.

That’s how she met Kicheol, and their sweet dates began. Kicheol Kim claimed he had left a large company in Korea to start his own business, which was thriving. He often read the Bible to Mi-jeong, providing her with comfort. One day, he suddenly took leave and landed at San Francisco Airport, asking her to come to the hotel, which led to an intense intimate encounter that left Mi-jeong exhausted.

“His technique in bed was amazing. He also gave me a drink from Korea, which made me dizzy, and we would have relations countless times throughout the night.”

Starved of affection since her divorce, Mi-jeong signed the marriage registration form with Kicheol without a wedding ceremony after just six months. But the nightmare began the day after the registration. Kicheol, knowing Mi-jeong was a nurse, pressured her to take out personal loans for his business. His promise to sell his house in Korea and buy one in the U.S. was a lie. After being pressured daily and physically assaulted, Mi-jeong reported him to the Santa Clara police after two months. The police, seeing her injuries and a broken bathroom door, arrested Kicheol on the spot.

\Even his imprisonment did not solve the problem. He called her daily from jail, threatening to kill her if she didn’t get him out. Mi-jeong, fearing she would lose her job at the hospital or suffer harm, hired a lawyer, but Kicheol’s threats intensified once he was released. Mi-jeong obtained a restraining order, but Kicheol continued to come to her house daily, violating the order and eventually being arrested again. From prison, he threatened her with gang members he had met, and one morning she found her car wrecked. Terrified, Mi-jeong moved but ended up in the hospital due to fear.

Kicheol Kim (43) intentionally bankrupted his subcontracting energy business, Tami Corporation, in Korea and fled to the U.S. He caused tens of billions of won in damage, primarily affecting friends, former colleagues, and alumni. Unable to borrow more money in Korea, he learned that marriage to a stable-status spouse like a nurse would be the quickest immigration route and began his marriage fraud schemes in earnest. Flaunting his wealth, he lured victims, particularly single moms struggling with tight finances despite being professionals, with promises of paying off existing mortgages and moving to a bigger house.

Kicheol Kim’s habitual assaults have left indelible scars on the victims

Kicheol Kim’s Fraud Schemes Using the YeoboO Dating App

Kicheol Kim flaunted fake bank balances and luxury goods on dating app profiles to lure victims. He promised to pay off existing mortgages and buy bigger houses.

According to the prosecution’s indictment, Kim met Mi-jeong, who lived in Palo Alto, through a few video chats and short visits before registering their marriage. Initially, he flaunted his wealth, claiming to run a significant energy business in Korea and promising to buy a $2 million house for her. However, after the marriage, he made excuses for not sending money and regularly assaulted Mi-jeong. He even falsely accused her of being an alcoholic who engaged in drug-fueled orgies with neighbors, threatening to have her jailed again. His fraud attempts were unsuccessful as Mi-jeong, who couldn’t speak English, finally reported him, leading to a 3-year prison sentence.

Continued Fraud Schemes After Release

After being released from Fremont Prison in May 2024, Kicheol Kim continued his marriage fraud schemes. He gathered information on single moms through multiple dating apps like YeoboO, DolsingOrang, and DasiOrangHae, and American job listings. He approached victims via KakaoTalk or text messages, claiming to be a “former large company employee in Korea” or a “businessman expecting big profits from export contracts,” hiding his past as a homeless ex-convict. His targets were primarily single moms in professional fields like nursing, accounting, or real estate. He would show them his Korean bank account balance and make excuses to borrow money urgently for his U.S. business, then disappear with the money.

Tracking Investigation Through Reports

Kim’s fraud activities were uncovered when he moved to LA. He repeated his scheme of borrowing money from prison mates in Northern California and not repaying, leading to his identity being exposed. A reporter tracked him down to LA, where he was still committing marriage fraud. His schemes had become more sophisticated, making it harder for victims to recognize his true nature.

More vigilance is needed to prevent further victims of this new type of marriage scammer operating throughout California. Victims should not be swayed by the scammer’s sweet talk of a better life and should make marriage decisions based on thoroughly verified information.

Kicheol Kim’s Past and Present

Kicheol Kim once dreamed of success in the energy business in Korea. After his father’s early death, he frequently clashed with superiors and changed jobs every 2-3 years before starting his own business. He financed his ventures through two marriages, one with a girlfriend he impregnated and another with a remarriage partner running a private academy. Although his business initially thrived, market changes and poor management led to bankruptcy. Facing insurmountable debt, he decided to flee to the U.S. after intentionally bankrupting his business.

Kicheol Kim turned to marriage fraud to resolve his immigration status. With his smooth talk and lies, he deceived many women and amassed substantial money. Although sentenced to 3 years in prison due to Mi-jeong’s brave report, his fraudulent activities continued after his release. He referred to prison as “school,” learning various fraud schemes from gang members, including credit scams, drug trafficking, and labor law fraud, exacerbating the damage caused by his crimes.

Victims’ Voices

Kicheol Kim’s victims suffered significant harm from his sweet talk. Victim Park stated, “At first, he seemed genuinely kind and trustworthy. We read the Bible together, and I thought he was deeply religious. But over time, he kept asking for money, and when I couldn’t lend him any, I saw his true colors. The biggest damage was losing trust in people.” Another victim, Lee, warned, “Kicheol is a very clever scammer. He even went to church and prayed passionately. I lost money on a business venture because of him and almost invested a large sum until a contact in Northern California revealed his true identity. People shouldn’t fall for his lies.”

The list of girlfriends on Kicheol Kim’s Facebook. Even after remarriage, he claimed to be single and exchanged messages with around 200 women, regardless of nationality.

Advice to Prevent Marriage Fraud

Experts offer several tips to prevent marriage fraud. First, do not blindly trust the other party’s wealth, and make judgments based on thoroughly verified information. Second, be especially cautious when deciding to marry someone met through dating apps. Third, if the other party exhibits violent behavior after marriage, report it immediately and seek help.

Meanwhile, remarriage agency experts provide the following advice to specifically prevent remarriage fraud:

Verification of Wealth: When the other party boasts about their wealth, make judgments based on thoroughly verified information. Request and review documents such as proof of assets and income, and check the reputation of the person through others.

Verification of Identity: Thoroughly verify the other party’s identity. Request identification such as a passport or driver’s license, and, if necessary, conduct a background check.

Pace Control: Do not rush into marriage and take enough time to get to know the other person. Be cautious of people who propose a quick marriage.

Public Meetings: Meetings with the other party should be held in public places, and it is important to introduce and inform those around you about the relationship. Avoid private meetings and listen to the advice of those around you.

Legal Advice: Before marriage, it is advisable to seek legal advice from a lawyer or expert. You can be protected through legal advice on marriage contracts or property division.

Caution with Financial Transactions: Avoid financial transactions before marriage, and be cautious when the other party requests money transfers. Be wary of anyone who makes financial demands.

Preventing Further Damage: Report First.

To prevent damage from new marriage fraudsters like Kicheol Kim, individual cautious judgment and social awareness are necessary. This article aims to raise awareness among many and help prevent marriage fraud. By exposing the true nature of this new marriage scammer active throughout California, we hope to prevent further victims.

Sunday News has also boldly published Kicheol Kim’s passport photo, obtained from a victim, to prevent further crimes.