The K-pop craze has become a 'lure' for scammers.

Photo caption — Billboards advertising a BTS concert in Seoul, South Korea . Photo: Getty

Data released by the South Korean National Police Agency shows that the number of foreigners falling victim to scams in South Korea has nearly quadrupled in just two years.

The agency said the number of foreign victims of fraud increased from over 5,300 in 2023 to over 8,600 in 2024, and then surged to over 19,900 last year.

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Many of these cases are believed to involve overseas fans of Korean popular culture (hallyu). Scammers typically approach fans, offer merchandise related to K-pop stars, then steal their money and disappear.

Notably, among the crimes targeting foreigners reported on June 12-13, the day of the popular K-pop group BTS's concert in Busan, southeastern South Korea, three out of five reported cases were scams.

The data also shows that the total number of foreigners who became victims of all crimes has increased by 81.7% in the last two years, from 28,048 in 2023 to 50,975 in 2025.

A lawmaker from the ruling Democratic Party has called for stricter measures to prevent crimes targeting foreigners, amid a surge in international tourists visiting South Korea.

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