Michaela
A Russian national has been arrested by Seoul’s Gangseo Police Precinct for allegedly orchestrating a fake crypto deal to lure South Korean men to a hotel, where he attempted to steal approximately 1 billion won (around $728,000) in cash.
Local outlet JoongAng Daily reported that two additional individuals connected to the case are believed to have fled South Korea. Authorities stated that the Russian suspect, along with the two alleged accomplices, arranged a meeting with several South Korean men under the guise of a peer-to-peer cryptocurrency exchange. The fake crypto deal turned violent, with two Korean victims reportedly assaulted with blunt objects inside a hotel room.
A group of ten South Korean men were invited to a hotel in Seoul’s Gangseo District, where the alleged crypto transaction was set to take place. While eight were directed to remain in the lobby, two individuals were asked to proceed to a guest room upstairs.
The suspects reportedly wore protective vests and concealed themselves in the hotel bathroom before launching a surprise attack. When the two men entered the room, they were allegedly confronted with what appeared to be a firearm, later identified as a replica. The assailants then restrained the victims using cable ties and physically assaulted them with a collapsible baton and their fists.
One of the victims managed to escape the attackers and ran to the hotel lobby, where he alerted the remaining individuals who had been waiting for the transaction.
Furthermore, the assailants allegedly tried to seize a bag containing 1 billion won intended for the crypto transaction but abandoned the attempt and fled the scene after the others intervened.
The day after the fake crypto deal, authorities sought an overseas travel restriction on the three individuals using the identities provided during the hotel reservation. Despite the request, it was later confirmed that one suspect had already departed the country shortly after the attack, with another leaving not long after.
“We have requested assistance from Interpol to track down the suspects who fled overseas,” a police official stated. “We are currently questioning the apprehended suspect on the motive and details of the crime and are considering filing for a pretrial detention warrant,” they added.
This fake crypto deal t is the latest in a growing series of crypto-related crimes reported in recent days. The rise in offenses—including attempted kidnappings—has become an increasingly serious concern within the cryptocurrency community.
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Michaela has no crypto positions and does not hold any crypto assets. This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The Shib Magazine and The Shib Daily are the official media and publications of the Shiba Inu cryptocurrency project. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decisions.
