South Korean Celebrities Embroiled in Crypto Scam Controversy
Controversy Erupts Involving Cryptocurrency Scam Involving South Korean Celebrities, Including YouTubers, World Cup Soccer Star, and ComedianSouth Korean stars accused of involvement in crypto scam
š· Tim Alper
South Korean celebrities, including top YouTubers, a veteran of the 2002 World Cup, a race car driver, and a leading comedian have found themselves in the middle of a fast-developing crypto āscamā controversy.
The controversy revolves around a South Korean blockchain-powered sports project called Winnerz, which is the issuer of the Winnerz (WNZ) coin.
South Korean Celebrities in Crypto Trouble: Who Is Implicated?
The list of stars implicated in this media whirlwind includes:
- Steven Nerayoff Raises Alarms Over SECās Ethereum Decisions
- š The Top Crypto Gainers Today: Riding the Roller Coaster of Exponential Gains š
- Kenny Li, a key member of Manta Network, talks about the future of modularity, decentralization, and more in episode 308.
- Soccer player Lee Chun-soo, a member of the South Korean 2002 World Cup squad that reached the semi-finals of the competition
- Comedian Na Sun-uk, star of Comedy Royale and a member of the YouTube Channel Byulnomduel (1.25 million subscribers)
- Comedian-turned-race car driver Han Min-kwan
- YouTubers Kim Won-hoon and Cho Jin-se from the Sandbox channel (over 2.8 million subscribers)
- YouTuber Oking (2 million subscribers)
- Model and social media star Park Min-jung
Almost all of the above celebrities have denied involvement in the controversy. They claim that while they may have met Winnerz-related officials, they have no connection with the company.
WNZ prices over the past week. (Source: CoinMarketCap)
Anonymous investors have come forward with allegations that Winnerz issued āfakeā coins and investors can no longer access their funds.
Firm Denies Wrongdoing
Winnerz denies these allegations, stating that fake coins bearing its name and logo have nothing to do with the company.
Investors filed an official complaint with the police on February 5, triggering an online hunt for celebrities connected to the company.
South Korean celebrities accused of having ties with Winnerz. Clockwise from top left: YouTuber Oking, model and social media star Park Min-jung, comedian Na Sun-uk. (Sources: Oking/ Byulnomduel YouTube channels/Park Min-jung Instagram)
However, in a YouTube video that has gained almost 3.3 million views in four days, the YouTuber Oking admitted to investing in Winnerz.
Oking made the video in response to online sleuths who found his real name listed on an official document as a Winnerz director. He stated:
āI invested in Winnerz. But I have now announced my intention to withdraw my investment. I have ended all my associations with Winnerz, and I have no plans to collaborate with Winnerz in the future.ā
In a statement on its website, Winnerz refuted much of Okingās statement, claiming that it had ānever disclosedā Okingās investment āat [the YouTuberās] own request.ā The company wrote:
āWinnerz has suffered unnecessary misunderstandings and has even been falsely accused of operating a scam. However, we have responded calmly and objectively to all accusations.ā
The anonymous posters who made the allegations accused Winnerz of operating a āmulti-level scamā operation and enlisting South Korean celebrities to promote the āscam.ā
YouTuber Suffers as Allegations Come to Light
Since February 5, nearly 120,000 people have unsubscribed from Okingās channel, as reported by Wikitree.
The YouTuber admitted to receiving payments from the company for appearing as a host at a Winnerz live event but denied receiving a $75,000 payment. He confessed to his subscribers:
āI should have told you what I did. I lied because I was scared.ā
Much of the controversy revolves around a person named Choi Seung-jung, who appears to be affiliated with Winnerz. Choi is believed to have masterminded several scam coin projects, including an alleged fraud involving Golden Goal (GDG) coins, where investors were also unable to withdraw their stakes.
South Korean Sports Star Denies Coin Involvement
According to a separate Wikitree report, soccer star Lee Chun-soo took to social media to deny involvement with both GDG and Winnerz.
Since his retirement, Lee has pursued a career in entertainment. In September 2021, GDG used photos of Lee to promote the project without his permission or knowledge.
GDG officials had approached Lee with the idea of launching an NFT soccer boot project. Regulators recently hinted at a potential investigation into the NFT concert ticket sales of K-pop star sensation and āGangnam Styleā singer PSY.
Q&A: What else do readers want to know?
- Are there any updates on the police investigation into Winnerz?
- What actions can investors take if they believe they have been scammed by Winnerz?
- Are there any other celebrities or public figures involved in crypto scams?
- How can investors protect themselves from falling victim to crypto scams?
- What are the potential legal consequences for the celebrities involved in this controversy?
Conclusion and Future Outlook
The unfolding crypto scam controversy involving South Korean celebrities and Winnerz highlights the risks and challenges faced by investors in the digital asset space. As the investigation continues, it is essential for investors to remain vigilant and cautious when engaging with blockchain projects and cryptocurrency investments.
Looking ahead, regulatory authorities are likely to increase their scrutiny of the crypto industry to protect investors and maintain market integrity. It is crucial for individuals to educate themselves about best practices, conduct thorough due diligence, and consult with financial professionals before making any investment decisions in the crypto space.
References: 1. South Korean Celebrities Embroiled in Crypto āScamā Allegations 2. Google Invest $1B in UK Data Center Amid Ongoing Company Layoffs 3. Coindesk Brings Back Microcosms NFT Consensus Ticket 4. Wikitree 5. 2006 ė ģ¼ ģėģ»µ ķ ź³ ģ ģ“ģ²ģ ķė¦¬ķ„ ź³Ø
š£ What are your thoughts on this crypto scam controversy involving South Korean celebrities? How can investors protect themselves from falling victim to similar scams? Share your insights and opinions in the comments below! And donāt forget to share this article on social media to raise awareness about the risks associated with crypto investments.
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