When I bought a used kimchi refrigerator, I got ‘100 million bundles’… its owner?

A bundle of cash found in a used kimchi refrigerator. Provided by Jeju National Police AgencyA bundle of cash worth 100 million won of unknown origin was found in a used kimchi refrigerator bought online, and the police are investigating the source of the money. If the owner does not appear, it goes back to the acquirer.

◇ 100 million bundles of used refrigerators bought online

According to the Jeju Western Police Station on the 9th, at around 3:45 pm on the 6th, a local citizen A reported to 112 that a 50,000 won bill of 110 million won was attached to the outside floor of a used kimchi refrigerator.

Mr. A recently bought a kimchi refrigerator online at a used goods company in Jongno-gu, Seoul. On the morning of the report, Mr. A found a bundle of cash in the process of cleaning the kimchi refrigerator delivered to him.

The refrigerator was packaged in a plastic cushioning material (aka bubble wrap). The bundles of cash consisted of 2,200 50,000 won bills, bundled 100 or 200 each, wrapped in plastic and attached to the outside floor of the refrigerator.
A view of the outside floor of a kimchi refrigerator with bundles of cash attached to it. Provided by Jeju National Police AgencyThe police are conducting investigations against used goods companies, freighters, and buyers along with closed circuit (CC) TV video analysis, but the source of the money has not been confirmed. The money is now in police custody.

◇Crime proceeds or lost items… Police under investigation

Who will this money go to in the future? As a result of the investigation, if the money found this time is found to be the proceeds of a crime, it will belong to the state according to the ‘Act on the Regulation and Punishment of Concealment of Crime Proceeds’.

If the cash is recognized as a ‘lost and found item’ that is not related to crime, the acquirer, A, will receive 22% of the 100 million won in tax if the owner does not appear within six months according to the Lost and Found Act.

If the owner is found, Mr. A can receive a compensation of 5-20% from the owner of the lost property.
Jeju West Police Station. Correspondent Koh Sang-hyunA police official explained, “Until now, the possibility of money related to crime is low. We are doing our best to find the owner of the money because it may be money with an unfair story.”