International Hacking Ring Leader Sentenced to 20 Years for Stealing Millions, Including from BTS Member Jungkook
A leader of an international hacking ring has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for orchestrating a scheme that stole over 38 billion won ($27.4 million) from wealthy individuals, including BTS member Jungkook. The Chinese national, known as Jeon, was found guilty of fraud and violating the Information and Communications Network Act by the Seoul Central District Court. The court described the crime as a serious offense that not only affected individual victims but also undermined the public financial system.
Jeon and his group targeted affluent individuals, including entertainment figures and business leaders, by illegally obtaining their personal information and using it to open mobile phone accounts with low-cost carriers. They then accessed the victims' bank and cryptocurrency accounts, resulting in the theft of assets totaling more than 38 billion won. The total estimated amount involved, including prevented losses, is around 64 billion won.
Among the victims was BTS' Jungkook, whose Hybe shares worth 8.4 billion won were targeted. Fortunately, his agency detected the unauthorized transactions and took immediate action to prevent any financial loss. Jeon, who showed little remorse during the trial, attempted to shift blame to another individual, but their involvement could not be confirmed.
The hacking ring operated internationally, with members in countries like Thailand, and carried out the illegal activities from August 2023 to January 2025. The court emphasized the severity of the crime and the impact it had on the victims and the financial system. The sentencing of Jeon to 20 years in prison serves as a warning against such cybercrimes and highlights the importance of cybersecurity measures to protect individuals and organizations from similar threats.