Olympian ex-fiancé falsely claimed friendship with Samsung scion

A photo of Jeon Cheong-jo provided by Gangseo District Office councilman Kim Min-seok. [KIM MIN-SEOK]

The former fiancé of Olympian Nam Hyun-hee, 27-year-old Jeon Cheong-jo, allegedly used the names of prominent figures, including celebrity psychiatrist Oh Eun-young and Hotel Shilla CEO Lee Boo-jin, to deceive unsuspecting victims.

According to a report by CBS NoCut News on Wednesday, Jeon's ruse targeted the parents and coaches at Nam's fencing academy.

Jeon earlier masqueraded as the illegitimate child of the hotel and casino conglomerate Paradise Hotel.

Jeon reportedly introduced herself to the academy’s parents and even coaches as the CEO of a fictitious company that claimed to offer exclusive special education programs tailored exclusively for Korea's elite families.

These programs purportedly specialized in sports guaranteed to secure admission into U.S. Ivy League schools, such as fencing, ice hockey and horseback riding.

Jeon's victims were told that Dr. Oh would provide exclusive “mental coaching” to students who enrolled in the program, which costs 300 million won per person.

Dr. Oh headlines a popular show that treats troubled children and parents on the broadcasting station Channel A.

To further convince unsuspecting victims, Jeon fabricated a close relationship with Hotel Shilla CEO Lee, the sister of Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong.

According to witnesses, Jeon provided intricate details of discussions she had supposedly had with Lee.

Police investigating arrested Jeon on Tuesday as they investigate multiple fraud allegations.

BY LEE HO-JEONG [lee.hojeong@joongang.co.kr]