Former Olympic fencer Nam Hyun-hee's luxury car confiscated in fraud case

Nam Hyun-hee's Bentley Bentayga worth over 300 million won, which was given as a gift from Jeon Cheong-jo. [NAM HYUN-HEE INSTAGRAM]

Police on Tuesday confiscated a luxury car from former Olympic fencer Nam Hyun-hee that she allegedly received as a gift from her ex-fiancé Jeon Cheong-jo.

The Songpa Police Precinct said Tuesday it filed a vehicle forfeiture motion with the Seoul Eastern District Court for Nam’s Bentley Bentayga on Nov. 10. The court approved the motion on Nov. 15.

A preservation order prevents the suspect from selling off or hiding property or assets accrued through criminal activity before the verdict.

Nam voluntarily surrendered the Bentley to the police earlier in November. The Bentley, registered under Nam’s name, is worth over 300 million won ($230,526).

The car will sold through a public auction, with proceeds going to compensate victims for their financial losses when the trials conclude.

The police also requested the valuation of other goods and items Nam claimed Jeon gave her as gifts. After ascertaining the prices, the law enforcers will review further measures, including making another property preservation order.

Jeon is now detained and accused of defrauding around 3.5 billion won ($2.7 million) from 30 people, ostensibly as “investments.”

Nam is also accused of being an accomplice in three fraud cases, with estimated damage at around a billion won. She stepped down from the executive board of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee on Nov. 15.

BY IM SOUNG-BIN, LEE SOO-JUNG [lee.soojung1@joongang.co.kr]