A high-stakes cryptocurrency investment dispute has escalated dramatically in South Korea, leading to serious criminal charges, including attempted murder. The Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors’ Office has indicted a 39-year-old man, referred to as Mr. A, who allegedly attempted to poison his business partner, Mr. B, over mismanaged funds.
Reports from local media, including The Chosun Daily, revealed that the incident took place at a café near Seokchon Lake in Songpa-gu, Seoul, on November 23. It is alleged that Mr. A laced a coffee he offered to Mr. B with methomyl, a dangerous and banned insecticide. Mr. B has since recounted the terrifying ordeal, noting that he was in the midst of planning his wedding when he was poisoned, and his wife was in the early stages of pregnancy at the time. Although he has recovered from the health effects of the poison, Mr. B stated he continues to require medical care.
Both men had been engaged in a business venture focused on managing funds through Bitcoin investments since 2022. Tensions reportedly mounted between them after Mr. A suffered significant financial losses, amounting to about 1.17 billion won (approximately $811,000). The nature of the loss remains murky, as it is unclear whether Mr. B lost control of the funds, or if they fell victim to a scam or theft. Following Mr. B’s takeover of the fund management in September, Mr. A is believed to have devised a plan to eliminate him.
After consuming the poisoned coffee, Mr. B collapsed and was quickly transported to a hospital, where he spent time in intensive care and only regained consciousness three days later. Prosecutors claim that Mr. A acquired the poison prior to the Bitcoin investment losses.
The severity of this incident underscores a troubling trend in crimes associated with cryptocurrency. A significant uptick in physical assaults linked to crypto has been noted, with recent reports revealing a 75% increase in “wrench attacks” — assaults that target individuals connected to cryptocurrency. These incidents have resulted in substantial losses, with over $40.9 million confirmed in 2025 alone.
As law enforcement grapples with the rise of crypto-related criminal activities, the first hearing for Mr. A’s case is scheduled for March 10 at the Seoul Eastern District Court. The implications of this case highlight the potential dangers and devastating consequences tied to cryptocurrency investments.
