Bank of Korea Governor Shin Hyun-song impersonated in investment-scam account; stock-tip group remains active on Telegram

AT A GLANCE

The account impersonating Shin Hyun-song has been suspended, but the stock-tip group it directed users to remains active on Telegram and continues to request personal information.

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Bank of Korea Governor Shin Hyun-song impersonated in investment-scam account; illegal stock-tip group remains active

BlockBeats reports,September 26, accounts impersonating Bank of Korea Governor Shin Hyun-song have recently appeared in succession on South Korean social platforms, inducing users to follow them under the banner of “helping you understand economic trends and grasp market direction.” The account did not publicly recommend specific stocks directly, but told those who added it as a friend or sent direct messages that it had a study group, directing them to join a group chat. After joining, it claimed it could provide individual stocks offering double-digit returns and requested personal information. After the Bank of Korea asked the platform to remove it, the account was suspended within hours of appearing; however, the stock-tip group, which had already attracted multiple members, continues to operate on Telegram. When reporters asked about its relationship with the Bank of Korea, the operator evaded the question, saying, “Financial institutions naturally have many internal matters that outsiders find difficult to understand.”

Using celebrity identities to funnel users into illegal stock-tip groups has become a standard investment-scam tactic. In addition to Shin Hyun-song, prominent figures in South Korea’s financial industry, entertainers, and financial influencers are frequently impersonated. Even official accounts of well-known investment communities and YouTube channels have been copied, while photos posted by ordinary people on social platforms have also been misappropriated. According to data obtained by People Power Party lawmaker Seo Il-jun from the Financial Supervisory Service, investment-scam phishing victim cases reached 6769 cases, with losses of 181700000000 KRW; for the full year last year, victim cases totaled 10000 1468 cases, with losses of 391600000000 KRW.

Original link https://m.theblockbeats.info/flash/369097

Key points

Accounts impersonating Bank of Korea Governor Shin Hyun-song have appeared on South Korean social platforms, inducing users to follow them by claiming to interpret economic trends and identify market direction.
The account did not publicly recommend specific stocks directly, but directed those who added it as a friend or sent direct messages to join a study group.
After joining, the operator claimed it could provide individual stocks offering double-digit returns and requested personal information.
After the Bank of Korea asked the platform to remove it, the account was suspended within hours of appearing.
The report states that the stock-tip group, which has already attracted multiple members, remains active on Telegram.
Financial Supervisory Service data show that investment-scam phishing victim cases totaled 6769 cases, with losses of 181700000000 KRW; for the full year last year, they totaled 11468 cases, with losses of 391600000000 KRW.

AI-assisted interpretation

The following is analysis, separate from reported facts. Verify important claims independently.

This is an impersonation-based funnel scam: it first borrows the identity of a well-known person to gain trust, then draws followers into a group chat and uses high-return stock tips as bait to obtain personal information. The suspension of an account does not mean the risk has ended, as related group chats may continue to contact participants.

Why it matters to readers

Participants may disclose personal information or suffer financial losses by mistakenly trusting the identity and return claims; impersonating individuals associated with the Bank of Korea may also lead the public to believe that the stock-tip activity is supported by a financial institution.

Do not trust stock-tip accounts solely based on an avatar, name, or purported internal relationship; remain alert to promises of high returns, requests to move to private or group chats, and requests for personal information.

Risks and unknowns

The report does not provide the full text of the official original announcement from the Bank of Korea or the Financial Supervisory Service.
It does not specify the names or sizes of the Telegram groups that remain operational, or the progress of the response.
The evidence cannot confirm how many people have had their personal information exposed, made payments, or suffered losses.
The specific years referred to by “this year” and “last year” are not stated in the body of the evidence.
The operator’s actual relationship with the Bank of Korea cannot be confirmed; when asked by reporters, the operator avoided answering.

Bank of Korea Governor Shin Hyun-song impersonated in investment-scam account; stock-tip group remains active on Telegram

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