A South Korean woman in her late 30s has come forward with a disturbing story of losing approximately 35 million won (around $25,000 USD) to a scammer who posed as actor Lee Dong Wook in an eight-month-long online romance. The victim, identified only as Ms. A, shared her experience on SBS’s “News Hunters” on September 16, 2026, revealing how she was manipulated into believing she was in a serious relationship with the “Goblin” star, complete with marriage talks and family introductions. The case has prompted Lee Dong Wook’s agency, King Kong by Starship, to issue a public warning about impersonation scams targeting fans.
The fake romance that felt real
Ms. A, who works as a background actor and has been a longtime fan of Lee Dong Wook, first connected with the impersonator through social media earlier this year. The conversation moved to KakaoTalk, where the scammer maintained intimate contact for about eight months. According to her testimony, the impostor sent AI-generated photos and used affectionate language that made the relationship feel authentic.
“Mr. Lee Dong Wook kind of confessed to me, you know. We even talked about visiting my parents together and having our families formally meet. That’s how far things progressed. So, we ended up becoming romantically involved. He said, ‘I love you, honey.’ I called him ‘oppa’ and he called me ‘jagiya.’ We talked to each other like that for nearly a year.”
The victim explained that the scammer exploited her interest in acting, offering advice about the entertainment industry while gradually building emotional trust. She believed he had chosen her as his future spouse. Despite the depth of their conversations, the two never met in person and never spoke over the phone during the entire eight-month period.
How the money was taken
The financial demands began when the impersonator claimed he was filming overseas and had sent her a package containing gifts worth approximately 700 million won (around $506,000 USD). He told her the package was stuck at customs and needed money for clearance documents and storage fees. Ms. A made multiple transfers, totaling 35 million won, believing she was helping her supposed boyfriend.
“I broke into my fixed savings account and even used my living expenses to send him 35 million won,” she said.
The scammer specifically instructed her not to contact his agency or send money to an official account, claiming his celebrity status required secrecy. He directed her to send funds to different personal accounts each time. The names on the receiving accounts were all different, yet Ms. A did not suspect anything was wrong. She has not been able to recover any of the money.
Lee Dong Wook’s agency issues a warning
On the same day the SBS episode aired, King Kong by Starship posted an official statement on its social media channels warning fans about impersonation scams. The agency emphasized that its artists never request money, valuables, or personal information through private messages or social media accounts.
“Recently, we have received reports of individuals impersonating our artists on personal messaging apps and social media accounts. Artists under King Kong by Starship will never ask for valuables, money, or personal information through personal messaging or social media accounts. In particular, there are absolutely no instances where they will reach out personally to demand money under the guise of hosting a VIP fan meeting.”
The agency also stated it is collecting reports of impersonation accounts and urged fans to avoid responding to suspicious messages. King Kong by Starship said it will continue strengthening monitoring of impersonation accounts to protect both its artists and fans.
AI tools make celebrity scams harder to detect
The Lee Dong Wook case is part of a growing wave of celebrity impersonation romance scams in South Korea. Scammers are increasingly using AI-generated images and deepfake technology to make their fake identities more convincing. The selfies sent to Ms. A are suspected to have been created or altered using AI tools.
A similar case from October 2025 involved a woman in her 50s who lost 500 million won (approximately $350,000 USD) to scammers impersonating Lee Jung Jae, star of “Squid Game.” The perpetrators used AI-generated photos and a forged driver’s license to gain her trust, then demanded money for various fabricated expenses over six months.
Attorney Lee Kyung-min, who appeared on the SBS program, described the pattern as a textbook romance scam. “Approaching someone through social media as if you’re in a romantic relationship and then asking for money is a typical romance scam,” he said.
You May Also Like:
What Lee Dong Wook is working on now
While the impersonation case has drawn attention to the actor’s name, Lee Dong Wook himself remains focused on his professional projects. The actor is set to lead the upcoming Netflix romantic melodrama series “The Facade of Love,” directed by Mo Wan-il, known for “The World of the Married.”
Lee Dong Wook plays Ji-hun, a married man whose stable life is shaken after an unforgettable night with a stranger while traveling abroad. The cast includes Jeon So-nee, Jung Yu-mi, and Lee Jong-won. Production for the series was confirmed by Netflix in April 2026, with a premiere date yet to be announced.
Lee Dong Wook was also recently seen in “A Shop for Killers” Season 2 on Disney+. The actor, born on November 6, 1981, has been a prominent figure in Korean entertainment for over two decades, known for roles in “Goblin,” “My Girl,” and “Tale of the Nine Tailed.” His agency’s warning serves as a critical reminder for fans worldwide to stay vigilant against online impersonators.
Also Read: BOYNEXTDOOR Public Restroom Concept Photos for HOME DELUXE Spark Divided Fan Reactions
Stay updated with the latest K-drama news, casting updates, and streaming details only on VvipTimes.
Leave a Reply