Haru Invest CEO Reportedly Stabbed in Court During Fraud Trial

South Korean media outlet DigitalAsset reported that a man identified as “Kang” suddenly attacked Lee with a concealed 5 cm knife during the proceedings in the Seoul Southern District Court. Kang reportedly rushed at Lee and stabbed him multiple times in the neck before courtroom guards intervened to subdue him. 

Kang was arrested at the scene and is now under police investigation at Seoul Yangcheon Police Station. 

Before now, Haru Invest provided custody services for Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, and other cryptocurrencies. Initially, the company promised investors a total return of principal and interest of up to 16%. However, they abruptly suspended withdrawals from its crypto custody service in June 2023 and closed its company office. 

Kang, a 51-year-old man, is allegedly a victim of this fraud incident and was among six other victims present in the courtroom during the trial.

In February 2024, Lee and three Haru executives, including the two co-CEOs, were reportedly arrested by South Korean prosecutors on charges of embezzling approximately $826 million from around 16,000 users to make illegal profits of over $1.04 billion. The firm allegedly misrepresented its investment practices and used misleading advertising for its high-yield products from March 2020 to June 2023. Lee was indicted on fraud charges under South Korea’s Act on the Aggravated Punishment Act for Certain Economic Crimes, and he was released on bail in July.

Lee was seen bleeding on the courtroom floor and was transported to a nearby hospital. The severity of Lee’s injuries and his current condition are unknown at the time of this report.

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