South Korea Raids 3 Crypto Exchanges in Embezzlement Probe

South Korean prosecutors reportedly raided the offices of three cryptocurrency exchanges on suspicion of siphoning off funds from customers' accounts.

AccessTimeIconMar 15, 2018 at 2:15 p.m. UTC
Updated Aug 18, 2021 at 8:30 p.m. UTC

Presented By Icon

Election 2024 coverage presented by

Stand with crypto

South Korean prosecutors raided three cryptocurrency exchanges this week over suspicions that staff embezzled funds from customers' accounts, according to local news reports.

Exchange staff, including executives, are suspected of siphoning off money from customer accounts and using it to purchase cryptocurrencies at other exchanges, Chosun.com reported.

  • Bitcoin Mining in the U.S. Will Become 'a Lot More Decentralized': Core Scientific CEO
    13:18
    Bitcoin Mining in the U.S. Will Become 'a Lot More Decentralized': Core Scientific CEO
  • Binance to Discontinue Its Nigerian Naira Services After Government Scrutiny
    05:10
    Binance to Discontinue Its Nigerian Naira Services After Government Scrutiny
  • The first video of the year 2024
    04:07
    The first video of the year 2024
  • The last regression video of the year 3.67.0
    40:07
    The last regression video of the year 3.67.0
  • The Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office reportedly confiscated hard drives, mobile phones, and documents in the search for evidence. One prosecutor was quoted as saying:

    "The firms turned up on our radar in January during our investigation of suspicious money transfers between Bitcoin exchanges that were detected during an audit by the Financial Services Commission and the Korea Financial Intelligence Unit."

    Another report indicates that the exchanges have been taken over by the country's financial watchdog, the Financial Services Commission (FSA), and that the operators of the companies are being charged with embezzlement.

    The news comes amid increasing scrutiny of cryptocurrency businesses in South Korea, as the country moved to clamp down on what it considered rampant speculation and criminal activities such as money laundering.

    In January, the Financial Supervisory Service reportedly indicated it was investigating possible insider trading of cryptocurrencies by its own staff and that it would make public any findings on the allegations.

    Later that month, the Korea Customs Service said that a total of 637.5 billion won (around $600 million) in foreign currencies had been exchanged illegally, including unrecorded capital outflows using cryptocurrencies.

    Furthermore, initial coin offerings (ICOs) were outright banned last September, although recent reports suggest regulators may be considering softening that stance.

    The government has also restricted cryptocurrency trading, outlawing anonymous virtual accounts at the end of January. After that date, only accounts associated with identified users could be accepted via approved banks.

    image via Shutterstock

    Disclosure

    Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information have been updated.

    CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk has adopted a set of principles aimed at ensuring the integrity, editorial independence and freedom from bias of its publications. CoinDesk is part of the Bullish group, which owns and invests in digital asset businesses and digital assets. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive Bullish group equity-based compensation. Bullish was incubated by technology investor Block.one.


    Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.