Romance Scam Targets Woman with Fake “Lee Jung‑jae” Identity, She Loses $350,000

A woman in her 50s was defrauded of approximately 500 million KRW (about $350,000 USD) after falling into a sophisticated romance scam in which the perpetrator impersonated actor Lee Jung-jae. The scammer initiated contact via social media, presenting artificial photographs of the actor at an airport and claiming a connection through the filming of a new season of Squid Game. Over a period of six months, the victim was emotionally manipulated and persuaded to transfer significant sums under a variety of false pretenses.

Despite initiating a police investigation, the woman continued to receive messages from the impostor urging her to maintain faith while the scheme progressed. The case highlights the growing threat of AI-enhanced romance scams and the dangers of online relationships where trust is exploited for financial gain.