[Captured from Channel A's 'Detectives' Trade Secrets']
[Captured from Channel A's 'Detectives' Trade Secrets']

A social media influencer with 300,000 followers has drawn public outrage after defrauding acquaintances of hundreds of millions of won through an investment scam — and continuing to live lavishly after release from prison.

According to a recent episode of Channel A's "Detectives' Trade Secrets," a client identified only as A was defrauded by an influencer acquaintance, referred to as B, whom A had met seven years ago.

After building a close relationship with A, B pitched an investment opportunity, claiming that an older brother who worked at a brokerage firm could generate high returns within two weeks. When interest payments arrived on schedule, A gradually increased the amount invested.

In reality, B had opened a brokerage account in A's name without consent and manipulated the account in real time to siphon off the money. By the time A discovered the fraud, the losses had reached 480 million won ($358,000).

Another victim lost more than 700 million won through the same scheme.

Investigators found that the "older brother at the brokerage" was in fact B's married lover, and that the two had conspired to carry out the fraud.

B was convicted on fraud charges and sentenced to two years in prison.

Less than a year after release, B made a high-profile comeback as an influencer with 300,000 followers.

B has been generating substantial income through group-buying promotions and an adult content platform, but has not repaid a single won to the victims.

While the victims have spoken of their anguish and emotional distress, B has drawn further public anger by showing no remorse and openly flaunting a comfortable daily life.

When detectives visited B directly to demand repayment, B responded brazenly: "I have no money" and "I'll just live my whole life with the civil lawsuit hanging over me."


yeonjoo7@heraldcorp.com