Man wanted for crypto fraud caught in Seoul for throwing cigarette butt

A man wanted by South Korean authorities for a $13.2 million crypto fraud has been arrested in Seoul after being spotted littering. The incident occurred on Wednesday morning near Sillim Station in the Gwanak District, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.

The 60-year-old man drew the attention of patrolling officers due to his suspicious behavior. After discarding a cigarette butt, he attempted to flee and tried to hail a taxi. When stopped, he refused to provide identification and allegedly offered money in exchange for being released.

Upon further checks, authorities confirmed that he was wanted for a crypto fraud scheme carried out between 2018 and 2019, which defrauded more than 1,300 people of approximately 17.7 billion won ($13.2 million). He faced 10 charges, including fraud and assault, and had been in hiding since 2020, when arrest warrants were issued against him.

The man has been handed over to the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Office, which is overseeing the investigation and will proceed with the legal process.