The Baby Seizes Fortune - Chapter 66

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 66

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Quasi-deposit taking.

It was an illegal act where individuals or companies, not financial institutions, would take money like deposits and promise principal protection or guaranteed returns.

‘They said it surged after the IMF crisis.’

The front of the pamphlet Junho had shown me contained this phrase.

[100% principal guaranteed, no worries about losses!]

‘Bullshit.’

Flipping past the pyramid-shaped cover, I looked at the next page.

‘Guaranteed monthly returns of 10%, private investment safer than banks, those who invested first have already received their money.’

And there was even a phrase to stimulate investment desire: ‘Only accepting applications until May.’

There was also a phrase stimulating exclusivity, saying it was an internal investment only accessible through acquaintance recommendations.

“This is a scam. Quasi-deposit taking.”

“Deposit taking? You mean like phone calls?”

“Well… Mother said so.”

“This thing, they don’t really make money. They use money from people who come later to pay the people who came first. At first they gather people…”

It’s also called a Ponzi scheme.

“Then they run away with the money.”

“Whaaaat?”

Junho’s eyes widened.

Right. This isn’t a business, it’s a scam.

During this period when such scams appeared, many people were fooled by promises of higher returns than banks and lost their fortunes.

While Junho is naive, it’s not just because he’s naive that he almost fell for this.

It’s not that people who get scammed are particularly lacking, it’s that the scammers are bad.

“Ha. I never even thought it could be a scam.”

Junho looked at the pamphlet with drooping eyes, as if he couldn’t believe it.

Then he looked at me again and said admiringly.

“Amazing. How did Saebyeol teach Chaea about even things like this?”

“Ahem.”

I cleared my throat a couple of times and said to Junho.

“Who was the staff member who gave this to Father?”

“Oh, remember the man who was wearing a red hat last time?”

“Tell that man too. That this is a scam. And tell the PD too, ask him to check if anyone else has done this.”

“Huh? Oh… yeah, we should. There might be other people besides me who almost did it.”

Initially, people put in small amounts to receive interest, then when the interest comes in well, they put in large amounts.

And when the scammers run away with the investment money, they get scammed just like that.

“Phew… bad guys.”

I clenched my small fist tight.

While this was an era with warm neighborly affection and many fun things, there were also plenty of bad people who would backstab others even in this era.

“Father, then I’ll go meet the PD.”

Junho took out a large flip phone.

He seemed to feel that the situation was serious.

Soon Junho left and I brought up Noah in front of me.

“Write a tip email to 【I Want to Know This】 right now.”

Once the investigation starts, many people will know about it, and then we can reduce criminal damage.

* * *

After finishing his call with the PD, Junho looked at his phone for a moment then called someone.

After a few rings, someone answered.

-Hello?

It was a low voice, belonging to MIX leader Ji Min-hyeok.

“Ah. Min-hyeok.”

At Junho’s words, Min-hyeok chuckled.

-We agreed to speak casually, didn’t we?

“Oh, right. Hi, Min-hyeok. How have you been?”

-Good, how about you?

Recently, Junho had even attended a MIX concert at Min-hyeok’s invitation.

They had started speaking casually at the after-party.

“I’ve been well too. Haha.”

Min-hyeok had once been an object of admiration, so even after they became friends, it was still a bit awkward.

-Junho, don’t you have filming today?

“Yeah. Oh, right. The reason I called is…”

Junho cleared his throat.

“It’s something I almost experienced, and I wanted to warn you in case you might fall for it too.”

-What? What happened? Did someone stalk you or something…?

“No, it’s not that. Quasi-deposit taking scam.”

-A scam?

Soon Junho told him about what he had almost fallen victim to.

Min-hyeok listened to Junho’s words with a serious voice. When Junho finished, Min-hyeok said.

-Wow, there really are a lot of bad people in the world.

“Yeah. So you be careful too. I was worried so I called.”

-I haven’t had anyone around me telling me to do something like that yet. If something like that happens, I’ll keep it in mind. I should tell the members too.”

A smile formed on Junho’s lips.

“Yeah.”

-Oh, but Junho.

Min-hyeok’s voice continued from the other end of the phone.

-About your daughter. You said she goes to Somang Preschool, right?

“Yeah. Our Chaea goes there.”

Min-hyeok continued.

-Well, I told you about my nephews before, right? They really want to go there. My older sister is somewhat opposed to it, but I think it would be good for the kids to go to the preschool they want to attend.

“Ah…”

Min-hyeok had said he was the second of three siblings. He had a younger sister who was an idol named Jia, and an older sister.

-Could you help me out a bit? As a parent who sends their child there, it would be good if you could honestly tell us what it’s like. Focusing on the good points, of course.

“Well, it shouldn’t be too difficult…”

-Really?

Min-hyeok’s voice immediately brightened.

“Yeah. Actually, I’m really satisfied with it.”

-Thanks. Is there anything I can help you with? Just tell me anything.

* * *

Somang Preschool teacher Noh Ji-hye took a deep breath while holding a pamphlet in the faculty office.

When she flipped past the pyramid-shaped cover, all sorts of enticing investment proposal phrases appeared.

“Right, I’m going to try it too. Investing.”

Just as she was about to pick up her phone, the faculty office door opened and principal Jo Mi-sook entered.

“Teacher Noh Ji-hye, you haven’t left work yet?”

“Oh, yes. I was just doing some cleanup.”

On Jihye’s desk was a framed photo of her glorious moment with the MIX members.

Jo Mi-sook glanced at Jihye and noticed the pamphlet she was holding.

“Wait, that…”

It was the same pamphlet her husband Yeong-il had brought home.

Yeong-il had almost inevitably invested too, but then…

“It’s a scam.”

Junho told her and that’s how she knew it was a scam.

Even Misuk had been tempted when she first saw the pamphlet.

The company looked quite solid, and the amount of investment returns they promised seemed believable.

“Junho said that Chaea called it a scam, so the PD called a police executive who’s his friend, and they said it’s a new type of fraud. Something that appeared very recently.”

The police were also just starting to prepare countermeasures.

If they hadn’t known, Misuk’s family might have suffered a big loss too.

“A scam…?”

“Yes. Gu Chaea from your class has done something really big again.”

If Junho hadn’t hurriedly met the PD to reveal the current situation, and if they hadn’t properly investigated, the damage would have been enormous.

“Chaea… why?”

“Well, that’s how it turned out. Anyway, it’s a scam, so you absolutely must not do it. Got it?”

There were already quite a few staff and actors who had invested in that place.

Fortunately, most of them seemed to have only invested small amounts.

“Ah…”

Jihye looked at the pamphlet with shaking eyes.

“And this weekend it’s also going to be featured on 【Want to Know This】. So throw it away right now, okay?”

Was the dream of stable income just an illusion after all?

“…Yes, Principal.”

If this really was a scam, and if Misuk had informed her of this fact like a benefactor when she was about to be scammed, it must be heaven’s message to earn money honestly through hard work.

Jihye immediately shoved the pamphlet into the trash can.

Misuk smiled faintly and left the faculty office.

‘She had that worried expression several times today, so I was concerned and came to check. Good thing I did.’

Then she approached Chaea, who was looking at flowers by the flower bed.

“Our Chaea, what were you doing?”

“Oh, Principal Teacher.”

Chaea placed both hands on her stomach and bowed politely.

“Hello.”

It was completely different from her attitude when she had been wary of Misuk after she suddenly visited the child’s home following her Edinburgh exam acceptance.

“Our Chaea is very admirable every day.”

A smile formed on Misuk’s lips at the sight of cheeky Chaea shrugging her shoulders.

“But you know what. The principal wants to ask you a favor.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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