Warning Issued Against Celebrity Impersonation Scams in Korea
A warning has been issued regarding impersonation scams targeting the entertainment industry in South Korea. The methods used by the scammers are notably similar. Last month, Mystic Story, the agency representing singer Yoon Jong-shin, reported that an individual impersonating one of their staff attempted to reserve venues and order expensive food and items under false pretenses. This impersonator reportedly forged documents to book restaurants and procure high-priced goods for Yoon Jong-shin's nationwide tour events.
In response, Mystic Story clarified, "We do not conduct venue bookings over the phone or request any high-value item orders through official documents." They urged anyone encountering similar impersonation attempts to cease communication immediately and exercise caution to prevent any potential losses.
On June 6, the agency representing Song Ga-in also issued a warning about similar scams. They reported that scammers impersonating their staff were attempting to defraud small business owners by claiming to be Song Ga-in's manager. These scammers approached businesses under the guise of organizing gatherings, requesting that they purchase wine with the promise of reimbursing them later during the event.
A representative from Song Ga-in's agency stated, "Our staff will never request money or purchases from external parties under any circumstances. If you receive such requests, it is likely a scam, and we advise you not to send money or respond. Please verify the identity of anyone claiming to be our staff, and report any incidents to the police immediately."
Similarly, the agency for rising star Byun Woo-seok also addressed the issue, highlighting that such requests are illegal. They expressed their commitment to taking legal action against these fraudulent activities and encouraged victims to report any incidents.
Shockingly, shortly after, agencies for actors Namgoong Min and Ha Jung-woo released similar statements, confirming that victims had also fallen prey to impersonators using the same no-show scam tactics. They reiterated the importance of not sending money or responding to suspicious requests and urged victims to report to the police.
This type of scam was previously highlighted in an episode of MBC's 'Real Story Investigation' aired in February, where scammers built trust by sending various military documents and then solicited payments for items like fruit, combat rations, and wine from various businesses.
It appears that these scammers have now infiltrated the entertainment industry, prompting agencies to issue repeated warnings to prevent further victimization.
