Former T-ara Member Charged With Fraud and Child Abuse

The Gwangmyeong Police Station in Gyeonggi Province announced on June 13th that they have been presented with three reports urging an inquiry into former T-ara member Areum for alleged fraud. The total amount of damages reported in the three complaints is approximately 37 million won.

The local police initially filed a fraudulent complaint against Areum in March. As of last month, two more complaints were transferred from other police stations and are currently being investigated.

Last month, Areum and her mother were sent to the prosecution without detention on charges of inducing minors to be taken away and violating the Child Welfare Act. Areum was accused of neglecting her educational obligations by not sending her children to a daycare center, which her ex-husband did not consent to. However, Areum has claimed that her ex-husband physically abused her children, although there are some who doubt the validity of her claims.

Last December, Areum made headlines when she revealed her plans to divorce her husband and marry her boyfriend simultaneously. However, there were rumors circulating about her boyfriend’s identity and speculations that they were borrowing money from her acquaintances. It has been reported that the couple has since parted ways.

In 2012, Areum became a member of T-ara, but she left the team a year later in 2013.