A scammer reportedly impersonated Squid Game star Lee Jung-jae and scammed a woman into transferring over $350,000 (500 million won). The person allegedly spent six months conversing with her, promising to meet in person. They reportedly used fake documents and AI-generated videos to prove their authenticity.

Someone uses Lee Jung-jae deepfakes to scam a woman out of $350,000

A mysterious person reportedly scammed a 50-year-old woman of over $350,000 by impersonating Squid Game’s Lee Jung-jae (via Korea JoongAng Daily).

Reports indicate that the woman sent the amount in installments over six months before the con was revealed in mid-October 2025. The scammer allegedly used Lee Jung-jae’s deepfake videos and forged legal documents to appear legitimate. They also offered her the hope that they would meet her in person one day.

Additionally, the scammer reportedly used words like “honey” and “darling” to build a sense of affection and trust. When the woman began believing the lies, she started sending money. She initially transferred little over $4,000 (6 million won), which accumulated to over $350,000 in the span of six months.

According to the report, the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency is investigating the case. They suspect it may be linked to a Cambodian crime ring. However, they have not yet confirmed any solid evidence.

After the report came to light, Artist Company, Jung-jae’s representative, has issued a statement. “A recent crime has occurred in which individuals impersonated our artist to demand money and obtain financial gain,” the statement read, per The Korean Times. “We make it clear that neither the company nor any of our artists ever request money, bank transfers, or financial support under any circumstances.”

The statement continued, “If you are contacted with such requests, please do not respond and take extra caution to avoid becoming a victim of fraud. We are currently cooperating with authorities to verify the facts and will take firm action to protect the safety of our artists and fans.”