Jungkook of BTS Falls Victim to Identity Theft: A Shocking Revelation
On March 22, 2025, Korea Economic TV disclosed a disturbing incident involving BTS member Jungkook, who reportedly became a victim of identity theft. This alarming scheme led to the unauthorized transfer of Jungkook’s shares in HYBE Corporation, amounting to around 8.44 billion KRW (approximately $5.75 million).
The breach occurred shortly after Jungkook embarked on his mandatory military service in December 2023. As outlined by Biz Hankook, on January 6, 2024, an unidentified perpetrator gained access to the idol’s personal data, enabling the opening of three securities accounts under his name.
Through these illicitly obtained accounts, the criminal transferred 33,500 shares of HYBE without Jungkook’s knowledge. Of these, 33,000 shares, valued at approximately 8.32 billion KRW ($5.68 million), were moved to a new account impersonating Jungkook. Furthermore, an additional 500 shares, worth around 126 million KRW ($85,955), were sold to an unsuspecting third party.
Fans Speculate About Possible Inside Knowledge
Many fans have voiced concerns regarding the nature of the crime, suspecting that it may have been orchestrated by someone within Jungkook’s inner circle. The complexity of the operation—requiring detailed knowledge of his banking information, identification, and passwords—has led to widespread speculation about potential insider involvement.
“This is not just a criminal case; it’s a case of extortion that cannot be overlooked. If we allow this to go unchallenged, the perpetrator may continue to operate undetected, as a data thief,” a concerned fan expressed.
“This is infuriating. It’s likely that someone he trusted is behind this. Jungkook has been receiving strange packages and has been followed home. Now, his privacy has been utterly violated,”another fan lamented.
“Once again, a BTS member’s privacy has been shattered. This is deeply upsetting; Jungkook does not deserve this devastation from someone who he probably trusted,”another lamented.
Fans have also noted the timing of the crime, occurring just after Jungkook’s enlistment, when soldiers are restricted from using mobile phones or contacting anyone outside for the first 100 days of their service.
“These men can’t have a single moment of peace,”one fan reacted.
“The precise timing of this theft, during a period of zero contact, suggests it was planned and conspiratorial. They took advantage of the situation when he was cut off from outside communication,”another fan pointed out.
“Jungkook can’t catch a break… I wouldn’t blame him for developing trust issues; the individual behind this must know him well,”another echoed.
Legal Action and Court Rulings
Following the unauthorized stock transfers, Jungkook took matters into his own hands by filing a civil lawsuit in March 2024 in pursuit of reclaiming the 500 shares sold to a third party.
In February 2025, the Seoul Western District Court ruled in favor of Jungkook, ordering the return of the shares. The court stated:
“There was no valid stock transfer agreement, and Jungkook is merely a victim of identity theft.”
While the third-party buyer claimed innocence, asserting they purchased the shares without knowledge of their dubious origins, the court dismissed this argument, emphasizing that due diligence should have been exercised given the high value of the shares and their connection to a major shareholder like Jungkook.
A representative from a securities firm commented:
“It appears that the perpetrator had comprehensive access to all of Jungkook’s financial information. There were even attempts to initiate cash transfers beyond just the stock.”
Despite the court’s ruling favoring Jungkook, the identity of the criminal behind this shocking identity theft still remains unknown.
Looking Ahead
As Jungkook approaches his official discharge from military service on June 11, 2025, alongside fellow band member Park Jimin, fans are hopeful for a swift resolution to this distressing situation. Other members, Kim Namjoon and Kim Taehyung, will be discharged on June 10, while Min Yoongi is scheduled to return thereafter on June 21.
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