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South Korean crypto CEO stabbed during Haru Invest fraud trial

South Korean crypto CEO stabbed during Haru Invest fraud trial

GrafaGrafa2024/08/29 04:30
By:Liezl Gambe

Hugo Hyungsoo Lee, CEO of South Korean crypto firm Haru Invest, was stabbed multiple times in the neck during court proceedings in Seoul.

The attack occurred during the trial of Haru Invest, where three executives were accused of stealing $826 million in cryptocurrency from approximately 16,000 users.

The assailant, a man in his 40s, reportedly one of the victims of Haru Invest, suddenly attacked Lee with a small knife from the guest seat in the courtroom.

Lee was quickly rushed to the hospital following the attack. His current condition has not been publicly disclosed.

The Haru Invest scandal began when the company abruptly suspended withdrawals on June 13, 2023. The next day, Delio, another firm connected to Haru, also halted withdrawals.

South Korean prosecutors charged three Haru Invest executives with misappropriating the digital assets, accusing them of falsely promoting the company as using "risk-free diversified investment techniques" while they were, in reality, misusing customer funds.

The executives were arrested in February 2024, but Lee was released in July ahead of the trial.

The stabbing incident is part of a growing trend of physical attacks related to cryptocurrency, reflecting increasing tensions and desperation among those affected by crypto-related fraud.

In a separate incident on August 4, a Chinese gang in Thailand robbed over $2 million worth of cryptocurrency at gunpoint, highlighting the escalating physical risks associated with digital assets.

Other recent examples include the kidnapping and robbery of a Bitcoin (CRYPTO:BTC) holder in Kyiv, Ukraine, and a machete-wielding home invasion in London where the victim was forced to transfer 1,000 Ether (CRYPTO:ETH) (worth over $2.5 million).

These incidents indicate a shift in the dangers faced by cryptocurrency holders, moving from primarily cyber threats to more frequent physical attacks as criminals target individuals for their digital wealth.

At the time of reporting, Bitcoin price was $58,987.23 while Ethereum price was $2,516.14.

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Disclaimer: The content of this article solely reflects the author's opinion and does not represent the platform in any capacity. This article is not intended to serve as a reference for making investment decisions.

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