Composer who defrauded investors of $8.8 million through BTS jeans scheme sentenced to prison

A composer who defrauded investors of 1.3 billion won ($8.8 million) by falsely claiming to have ties to HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk was sentenced to six years in prison in an appellate ruling.

2026-04-16

Director of forced labor compensation foundation probed for forging victims' consent to plan

Police are investigating allegations that the head of a government-run foundation fabricated consent by Korean victims of Japanese wartime forced labor for compensation under a controversial program.

2026-04-14

Supreme Court upholds prison term for education consultant who promised Harvard admission

The Supreme Court of Korea recently upheld a fraud conviction against a consultant who took 850 million won ($563,100) by falsely promising guaranteed admission to a top U.S. university through donations.

2026-04-02

Payouts for fraudulent insurance claims hit new high in 2025: Data

Payouts for fraudulent insurance claims rose to an all-time high last year, although the number of fraud cases fell, the financial watchdog said on Tuesday.

2026-03-31

Investment offers and romance scams: Police warn of con artists exploiting Middle East war

Scammers are using fake investment offers, flight alerts and romance ploys to exploit the war in the Middle East, police said Monday.

2026-03-23

Sunglass copycat case results in Korea's first detentions over product design theft

A sunglass design copycat case has resulted in the country’s first detentions involving the crime of copying the design of another company’s product.

2026-03-17

Pocheon police recognize cafe patron who foiled 60 million won phishing attempt

A quick-thinking cafe customer overheard a suspicious conversation and alerted police, stopping a phishing scam and saving the potential victim from losing 60 million won ($42,000).

2026-02-24

Pair handed prison sentence for 700 million won lottery scam

Two people were sentenced to prison for swindling more than 700 million won ($485,000) from victims by claiming they could obtain winning lottery numbers through an inside contact at the lottery operator.

2026-02-23

Busan police launch investigation into allegedly fraudulent AC installation company

Police in Busan have launched an investigation after receiving a series of complaints from customers that a central air conditioner installation company ceased contact after taking payments from them.