Charges Filed Against South Korean Civil Servant for Crypto Fraud

South Korean Civil Servant Arrested for Crypto Fraud

A South Korean civil servant was arrested on March 27 on charges of committing crypto-related fraud and carrying out voice phishing attacks. The accused is a level six district office official in her 50s who allegedly received money from multiple victims.

Details of the Case

Police reported that she converted the fiat money to Bitcoin (BTC) and sent the coins to a voice phishing gang member. The arrest took place at a bank in the Jegi Neighborhood in Seoul’s Dongdaemun District.

Allegations and Investigation

The civil servant claimed she was deceived into joining the gang by an individual promising legitimate means to make money. Police are investigating evidence and identifying potential additional victims. They have searched addresses connected to the civil servant and are examining further data.

Rise in Crypto Crime

Recent years have seen a rise in crypto-related crimes, including voice phishing, where attackers impersonate authorities to deceive victims. In a separate incident, a government worker allegedly embezzled funds from the National Health Insurance Corporation and fled to the Philippines.

Previous Cases

In 2022, a high-ranking civil servant was caught buying Dogecoin (DOGE) during a local government meeting, highlighting the intersection of crypto and public officials.