Cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrency Scam Unveiled in South Korea
Thursday. November 14 at 12:30 AM
1 min. readA major cryptocurrency scam has been uncovered in South Korea, where a financial influencer allegedly orchestrated a fraudulent scheme following dissatisfaction from investors seeking refunds for poor stock advice. Authorities have apprehended 215 individuals linked to the scam, with 12 remaining in custody, including the suspected mastermind identified as Mr. A, a middle-aged investment advisor and YouTuber with a substantial following. Mr. A, who fled to Australia but was later arrested, reportedly initiated the scam after facing backlash for a failed stock recommendation in 2020. The group amassed 325.6 billion Korean won ($232.7 million) from over 15,000 individuals by promoting 28 cryptocurrencies, six of which were created by Mr. A to manipulate the market. The scammers targeted vulnerable victims, including the elderly, using deceptive tactics and even impersonating financial authorities. South Korea, witnessing a surge in digital asset-related fraud, has implemented stricter monitoring measures and severe penalties to combat such criminal activities.