South Korea Arrests $13M Cryptocurrency Scam Fugitive After Littering Incident in Seoul
In a dramatic turn of events, South Korean police apprehended a cryptocurrency scam fugitive, on the run for nearly five years, after noticing him littering near a subway station in Seoul. The arrest highlights how even minor infractions like littering can lead to the capture of high-profile criminals.
The man, identified only by his surname “A,” is in his 60s and was caught near Sillim Station in the Gwanak District by a mobile patrol unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. Authorities say the fugitive was fleeing hastily after discarding a cigarette butt, which prompted officers to stop and question him around 11:30 a.m. on August 20, 2025.
Police became suspicious after the man refused to show his identification, tried to bribe officers by offering money, and pretended to make a phone call in an attempt to escape. Upon investigation, officers found that he was wanted on 10 charges, including fraud and assault.
The fugitive orchestrated a multi-victim cryptocurrency scam between 2018 and 2019, defrauding approximately 1,300 individuals of 17.7 billion won (approximately $13.2 million). He went into hiding in 2020, managing to evade arrest for nearly five years despite multiple arrest warrants.
Following his arrest, the suspect was handed over to the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Office, which has been leading the case. Investigators are expected to delve further into the details of the scam and how the man managed to remain hidden for so long.
Background on the Scam and Law Enforcement Efforts
The cryptocurrency fraud involved deceiving a large number of victims through a complex scheme, causing significant financial losses. The Seoul police had been actively searching for the man since the scam surfaced, issuing multiple arrest warrants over the years.
This arrest comes amid growing concerns over cryptocurrency-related crimes worldwide. In 2024, thefts from cryptocurrency platforms amounted to $2.2 billion globally, with illicit actors receiving an estimated $40.9 billion in digital currency, according to blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis.
South Korea alone had recorded substantial cryptocurrency investment scams; last year, authorities arrested over 200 suspects linked to a $240 million scam, reportedly the country’s largest.
The Significance of the Arrest
The capture of this fugitive due to a minor act of littering exemplifies the effectiveness of everyday vigilance and law enforcement patrols. It also draws attention to the persistence of authorities to combat financial crimes in the rapidly evolving digital currency landscape.
Moreover, the investigation into this case will provide insights into the operational methods of cryptocurrency scams and possibly yield information to aid victims in recovering their losses.
This unusual but effective arrest method underscores the broader challenges law enforcement faces when tracking crypto criminal networks, as well as the small but critical role public behavior plays in aiding justice.
Authorities continue to encourage vigilance and lawfulness to support ongoing crime prevention measures.