Korean Job Discussion Forums

fromtheuk · Joined: 31 Mar 2007

I need some brief advice. About 300,000 won I had went missing yesterday.

I'm pretty certain I didn't lose it. Here's the brief story.

My house owner pays for some trash bags for me because we had just discussed which trash to put where.

I take him back to my room to pay him back and he sees a wad of cash of mine and advises me to put in the desk drawer in case of theft.

I place it there, like an unthinking fool. A bit later on he buzzes my door and comes in saying he wants to give me a calendar, which he puts on the desk where the money is kept and acts like he is worried about me boiling rice because it was a danger. His English is poor, so he gets his son on the phone who speaks English.

This all now happens in the kitchen. Then his wife buzzes the door with a bowl of heated rice and I explain I'm boiling the rice and cooking a curry to put on top. They then act like they were stupid to think I was cooking something which may be dangerous and exit the room laughing.

Later on I check everywhere and the money is gone. Now I obviously have no proof of anything and so I told my co-teacher this morning my money was missing but I didn't tell her anything about what's happened, I said I have no proof anybody took the money and would keep money on me in future.

That money would have been in the bank but I haven't set an account up yet.

What do you advise me to do? The owner and his wife are the only ones to have entered my room and I am reluctant to make any accusation against them because it can't be proven.

It looks pretty obvious though to me, I can't believe I fell for it. The money isn't a problem for me, but it's pretty pathetic of those I suspect who did this.

To play dumb is an option, because I'm sure they would like to see me angry about this, but to be honest I'm not that bothered about it.

What would you do? Please feel no pressure, just give me your view.

Sorry about this.

Thank you.

cbclark4 · Joined: 20 Aug 2006 Location: Masan

That happened to me on my first day. But it was travellers cheques and lot more money.

Turns out I had out them in an envelope in a different draw.

cbc

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

Maybe that's why he suggested you put the dosh in the drawer...you wouldn't immediately notice when he had stolen it. Change you locks and don't give anybody a key. Also, I would tell him that you had your money stolen out of his apt and check his and his families reaction. But, he might have taken it in order to prove a point and you could very well be getting it back...but maybe not if you play and pretend that everything's roses and you don't care about money being stolen from your house.

Scouse Mouse · Joined: 07 Jan 2007 Location: Cloud #9

Go and tell him you need some help. Let him know that you have had cash stolen from your appartment and need somebody to call the police and act as your translator. Then have him report his own crime, just for giggles.

poet13 · Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 9:02 pm Post subject:

I like the police report idea...but better do it quick before he spends it.
I understand where you're coming from and not wanting to point a finger. Nobody else was there, but you didn't actually see it happen.

I have a wonderful little device in my apartment. My webcam. It records when there is motion. I had a full hour one day of a bird flying around my apartment trying to get out, but no people yet.

Definitely change your locks. If he wants a key, tell him no way, you're apartment was already robbed.

fromtheuk · Joined: 31 Mar 2007

I am going to ignore it. I will keep all money with me from now on.

If it was stolen by the house owner, then he can stick it up his a@#

I wouldn't give him the importance of wasting my time and police time.

Funnily enough my toilet is blocked, so I may ask him to fix that tonight.

I didn't see the house owner take the money and to a certain extent I blame myself for being stupid enough to let him and his wife in while I couldn't see them both in full view.

I've told my co-teacher about general things regarding this and she said she will contact the home owner to let him know. Remember the co-teacher knows nothing of this story.

So, the home owner should hear about it. What a slug he is, to be outwitted by such a stupid fool is embarrassing.

mercury · Joined: 05 Dec 2004 Location: Pusan

Hey, I have got an idea! Just blow it off! I mean, you dont want to accuse him, he is just going to deny it, so blow it off.

THEN.....

As time passes........

You set up the very same scenario.

Money out. You invite him over.

But this time you have a bunch of marked bills. And you have a friend help you. You then have the friend hide inside the closet and watch. Or set up a camera that you can record with. Once you set him or her up, they will do the same thing! Then you nail them, and get your 300,000 won back!

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

^ Good idea...but I bet he'd get off...but, if a waygook did it it'd be a different tune... Confused

Qinella · Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Location: the crib

I think you should just write it off as an "Oh, Korea" event and do absolutely nothing about it. I mean, it's only 300,000 won, right?

Hey, when's the next dinner party? I'll definitely bring the turkey and boxed wine.

Guri Guy · Joined: 07 Sep 2003 Location: Bamboo Island

Welcome to Korea. Sad

I have had friends that have had things stolen out of their house by landlords too. Changing the locks is an excellent idea and make sure the bugger doesn't get a key.

Cheating a Waeguk is ok in Confuscionist culture. We aren't very high on the figurative totem pole. Sad but true.

Qinella · Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Location: the crib

ilovebdt · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Location: Nr Seoul

Are you sure it just didn't fall down the back of the drawer?

ilovebdt

uberscheisse · Joined: 02 Dec 2003 Location: japan is better than korea.

uberscheisse · Joined: 02 Dec 2003 Location: japan is better than korea.

oh yeah and the second "beep" in the messages implies "man-grapes".

Tokki1 · Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 5:35 am Post subject:

I wouldn't worry if it was W10 or 20,000, but jesus...that's a significant amount of money to steal. Personally, I would have confronted him right away. The money was there, now it isn't, he was the only one in there. It's pretty obvious.

Change your locks. Sounds like the kind of ajoshi who may be in your place when you're not around. I've seen it before. Beware. Thing is, though, he might try to get into your place, find the locks change, and change them again saying he needs access in case of emergency, etc...

Save up some cash and get your own place.

He definitely stole the money, you can be sure of that. I can't believe he was so blatant about it. Almost makes you wonder....

There's no way the money could have fallen into a crack or something in the desk?