In a troubling case that highlights the growing intersection between personal betrayal and crypto-related crime, a South Korean woman has been sentenced to two years in prison after being found guilty of stealing nearly half a million dollars in digital assets from her unsuspecting boyfriend. The theft, which occurred in early January, has sparked renewed concerns over the safety of cryptocurrency users—especially as crypto crimes become more frequent and sophisticated.
According to reports from local South Korean media, the woman, who is in her 40s, orchestrated the theft late at night while staying at her boyfriend’s home in Jeju City. Prosecutors say she waited until he had fallen asleep, then used his mobile device to access his financial apps and cryptocurrency exchange accounts. She had reportedly memorized his login credentials ahead of time—a premeditated act that allowed her to transfer approximately 683 million Korean won (roughly $488,000) in digital assets to her own accounts.
Her deception didn’t stop there. Authorities say she also embezzled an additional 2 million won (about $1,430) in cash during the same incident. After executing the theft, she quickly left the island, boarding a flight to another region of the country. Her getaway, however, was short-lived. Police tracked her to a hotel in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, where she was apprehended and subsequently returned to Jeju to face charges.
During the court proceedings, the woman openly confessed to the theft and expressed remorse. She told the court that she had already returned the majority of the stolen funds, leaving only about 21.9 million won (approximately $15,000) outstanding. Her legal team urged the court to show leniency based on her cooperation and efforts to make restitution.
However, the judge was unmoved. The court emphasized that this wasn’t her first brush with fraud; in fact, she had a documented history of similar crimes. One of her previous cases was still ongoing at the time she stole from her boyfriend. As such, the judge rejected any plea for a lighter sentence, arguing that she had already been given chances in the past, which she chose to squander. In light of her repeat offenses and the magnitude of the theft, the court sentenced her to two years in prison.
The case has added to growing alarm over the rise of crypto-related crimes in South Korea—and around the world. As the value of digital assets continues to grow, so too does the number of criminal incidents surrounding them. South Korean authorities have been particularly vocal about the trend, especially in Jeju, which has seen several alarming crypto-related cases in recent months.
Just earlier this year, a man in his 30s was found fatally stabbed in a Jeju hotel after attending a private cryptocurrency meetup. In a separate case, four Chinese nationals were caught stealing $63,000 in digital assets. And in yet another incident, a 22-year-old woman named Maissa Jebali was arrested for stealing TRUMP meme coins from her ex-boyfriend.
As these crimes become more personal and dangerous, experts are calling for stronger education around crypto security, particularly when it comes to sharing sensitive information—even with loved ones. The South Korean case is a harsh reminder that in the world of crypto, trust can come at a high cost.
