An alleged cryptocurrency scandal involving the promotion of a fraudulent scheme has engulfed South Korea, implicating several well-known celebrities and YouTubers.
Winnerz, a South Korean blockchain sports platform that operates through various ventures, including the issuance of cryptocurrencies, has faced allegations of conducting coin fraud, as reported in the Korean Herald.
Unidentified investors lodged complaints that the organization was issuing counterfeit cryptocurrencies, gathering investments, and obstructing withdrawals of funds, which led to the exposure of the alleged fraud.
The National Police Agency received information regarding the ruse on February 5, after its earlier reporting to the National Civil Service.
With the assistance of prominent personalities and YouTubers, Winnerz is allegedly promoting their fraudulent scheme. These individuals could purchase the coins themselves, assist in recruiting more investors in exchange for a commission, or both.
Rumors regarding the potential collaboration between celebrities and the Winnerz company surfaced after users discovered images of celebrities, including the comedian Na Sun-uk, attending the Winnerz year-end party.
Choi Seung-Jung, a prominent representative of Winnerz, has faced allegations of orchestrating numerous crypto tokens frauds, such as the TYP coin and GDG coin forgeries, in which photographs of him with celebrities caused concern.
A well-established strategy transcending Korea and the cryptocurrency market, using celebrities to promote fraudulent schemes, dates back decades. Public figures such as Kim Kardashian and Floyd Mayweather have faced legal action and financial penalties for endorsing analogous schemes.
The majority of notorious figures who have been linked to the fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme Winnerz have denied any association with the organization.
Nonetheless, several additional individuals have disclosed their involvement in the purportedly fraudulent cryptocurrency. Comedian Sun-uk and prominent YouTubers Kim Won-hoon and Cho Jin-se denied any investment or involvement with the controversial project. They stated that they could not attend the event because of personal obligations.
Oh Byeong-min, another well-known Korean YouTuber boasting two million subscribers, disclosed his investment in the Winnerz project after users discovered his name as a director on the organization’s roster.
The YouTuber, however, also declared his departure in light of the ongoing controversy surrounding the project, stating that he had “ceased all projects with Winnerz and has no plans to collaborate with Winnerz.”