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Police in South Korea have arrested the leader of a 16 billion won ($12 million) cryptocurrency scam who underwent almost $16,000 worth of plastic surgery to evade authorities.
As reported by the Straits Times, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency says the scammer was on the run for 10 months after failing to attend a pre-trial detention hearing in September 2023.
During his time as a fugitive, the man reportedly spent 21 million won ($15,746) on plastic surgery to alter his appearance, specifically his eyes, nose, and the shape of his face. He is also said to have worn a number of wigs.
Read more: Bitsonic chief sentenced to 7 years for crypto theft in South Korea
Police claim that the man is behind a cryptocurrency mining scam that promised investors a monthly return of 18% and managed to defraud 158 victims between November 2021 and June 2022. Victims’ losses ranged from 1.2 million won ($900) to 250 million won ($188,000).
Despite the plastic surgery, the man was caught in the South Korean province of Gyeonggi in August after police tracked him to his apartment using phone records, internet history, and surveillance footage.
South Korea crypto CEO stabbed while on trial for fraud
Earlier this week, also in South Korea, the CEO of South Korean crypto deposit service Haru Invest was stabbed several times in the neck while attending a court hearing.
The man, known as Lee, was facing charges alongside two other executives for allegedly stealing 1.1 trillion won ($825 million) worth of crypto from around 16,000 users.
The attacker was reportedly a victim of Haru Invest. Reuters reports that Lee’s injuries are not life-threatening and that the attacker has been arrested.