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$232M Crypto Scam Shakes South Korea – Influencer and 215 Others Arrested

Key Takeaways

  • South Korean authorities uncovered a major cryptocurrency scam involving a popular YouTuber, with $232M allegedly stolen from investors;
  • A total of 215 people were arrested, with police seizing Bitcoin and freezing additional funds connected to the fraud;
  • South Korea has implemented strict monitoring and penalties, including life imprisonment, to combat escalating crypto-related fraud.
$232M Crypto Scam Shakes South Korea – Influencer and 215 Others Arrested

A South Korean financial influencer has been implicated in an alleged $232 million cryptocurrency scam that has shaken the nation’s investment community.

After unsatisfied investors requested refunds for failed stock advice he provided, authorities launched an investigation, which ultimately led to the arrest of 215 people in connection with the scheme.

Among those arrested, only 12 individuals remain detained, with the primary suspect, an investment advisor and YouTube personality known as Mr. A, at the center of the allegations. Mr. A, who managed an investment advisory firm and ran a popular YouTube channel with over 620,000 followers, initially fled to Australia but has since been apprehended by authorities.

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The alleged scheme traces back to 2020 when Mr. A’s investment recommendation went wrong, leaving clients unsatisfied and demanding their money back. In response, he reportedly pivoted to selling digital assets and established a network of front companies to orchestrate the fraud.

Between late 2021 and early 2023, Mr. A and his associates allegedly collected 325.6 billion won (approximately $232.7 million) from 15,304 individuals who invested in a selection of 28 cryptocurrencies.

Out of these 28 cryptocurrencies, six were allegedly created by Mr. A and his associates. Investigators have reported that the accused manipulated these coins’ market values to mislead investors further, while the remaining assets were largely obscure and held minimal worth.

Utilizing the vast reach of Mr. A’s YouTube channel, the alleged fraudsters are believed to have collected the personal contact details of millions. They aggressively targeted middle-aged and senior citizens through direct marketing and deceptive impersonation of officials from South Korea’s Financial Supervisory Service.

Police efforts to recover funds have yielded the seizure of 22 Bitcoin BTC $96,656.25 from Mr. A, alongside applications to confiscate an additional $34 million from bank accounts linked to the network.

In response to these incidents, South Korean regulators have intensified efforts to scrutinize cryptocurrency transactions, implementing policies to control fraud and enforce severe penalties, including potential life sentences.

In other news, a phishing scam has led to a $6 million loss for a GIGA token holder. How did hackers pull off this heist? Read the full story.

Aaron S. Editor-In-Chief
Having completed a Master’s degree in Economics, Politics, and Cultures of the East Asia region, Aaron has written scientific papers analyzing the differences between Western and Collective forms of capitalism in the post-World War II era.
With close to a decade of experience in the FinTech industry, Aaron understands all of the biggest issues and struggles that crypto enthusiasts face. He’s a passionate analyst who is concerned with data-driven and fact-based content, as well as that which speaks to both Web3 natives and industry newcomers.
Aaron is the go-to person for everything and anything related to digital currencies. With a huge passion for blockchain & Web3 education, Aaron strives to transform the space as we know it, and make it more approachable to complete beginners.
Aaron has been quoted by multiple established outlets, and is a published author himself. Even during his free time, he enjoys researching the market trends, and looking for the next supernova.

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