A WOMAN who allegedly spun a fantasy of being pregnant with Son Heung-min’s child to squeeze cash out of the ex-Spurs legend has been jailed.
Prosecutors say the scammer bled the South Korea captain for £200,000 and then tried to hit him again for more.
The Seoul Central District Court ruled that the woman, identified only as Yang, weaponised Son’s fame and “vulnerability” to commit an extortion scheme that caused him “significant mental anguish.”
Prosecutors said Yang, a wannabe WAG in her 20s, sent Son an ultrasound image and allegedly threatened to go public with claims she was carrying his baby unless he paid up.
Yonhap news agency reported she pocketed the cash and blew it on luxury and designer goods before returning this year with an accomplice to allegedly demand another £35,000 (70 million won).
She has now been jailed for four years.
Her male co-conspirator, identified as Yong, was sentenced to two years behind bars.
Both have been in custody since May.
Judge Im Jeong-bin said Yang had taken “extreme measures” to smear Son’s reputation.
“It was not limited to simple threats or demands for money – she went further by taking action, such as informing the media and advertising agencies, exploiting Son’s status as a public figure,” Im said.
Son, the judge added, “suffered considerable psychological distress as a result of the case becoming public.”
The player, now with Los Angeles FC after leaving Tottenham in a record MLS transfer earlier this year, appeared at a closed trial session last month and gave testimony, local media reported.
The court noted Yang never confirmed who the child’s father was, and it remains unclear whether she was ever pregnant.
Local outlets have speculated the alleged pregnancy was terminated.
Son had previously known the woman, according to past statements from his agency, which said he was hit with a demand for money backed by “fabricated materials.”
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