$10 Million Buried: Illegal Gambling Money Found Buried in S. Korean Farm

$10 million buried in a South Korean ranch was discovered this week and belongs to an illegal gambling ring, according to local media reports.
$10 Million Buried: Illegal Gambling Money Found Buried in S. Korean Farm
4/12/2011
Updated:
4/12/2011

 

Authorities in South Korea say that they have unearthed 11 billion won ($10 million) in cash in a garlic field, local media reports on Tuesday say.

The source of the cash is believed to be from an illegal Internet gambling ring, reported Yonhap news agency. A person close to the ring apparently buried the cash at a farm and at several other properties in the province of North Jeolla.

Police say that they have identified the man who buried the money as a 53-year-old with the surname of Lee. His first name was not given.

Yonhap reported that Lee got the money from his two brothers-in-law. Lee then hastily bought the farm and buried the money, according to police.

The money was first found by a laborer named Ahn, who was hired to dig up a tree on the property but stumbled on the cache, reported ABC News.

Ahn first found a plastic box, which he discarded without opening, said the report. Lee then accused Ahn of stealing more than $270,000 in cash. Several months later, Lee then accused him of stealing more than $620,000, adding that it belonged to gangsters.

Ahn then went to the authorities for protection and said he was innocent, prompting a police search on the property.