'Department Store VIP' Built on Fraud and Debt Investment... The True Face of a Luxury Brand-Covered Influencer

'Curious Story Y' Highlights 40s Influencer
Boasted About Department Store VIP Status but Accumulated Debt and Failed to Deposit
"Self-Destructed While Juggling Debts"... Sent to Prosecution on Fraud Charges

The fraudulent activities of a local famous fashion influencer with over 12,000 followers have come to light, sparking controversy. According to SBS's 'Curious Story Y' aired on the 12th, a woman in her 40s, identified as influencer A, reportedly swindled money by claiming to sell her luxury bags or offering luxury purchase agency services.

A's SNS appearance. [Image source=Screenshot from SBS 'Curious Story Y' broadcast]

A was an influencer who flaunted her status as a department store VIP on social networking services (SNS), posting photos adorned with various luxury items from hairpins to clothes and bags. However, the reality was quite different. There were 12 reported cases filed on financial fraud inquiry sites against A, with the total damage amounting to about 88 million KRW.

The fraud methods varied. First, there was a method where she agreed to trade her items but only took the money. One victim said, "In January this year, she sent photos saying she was selling bags and clothes she owned at a cheap price," adding, "I trusted her because I had bought from her before, but on the day she was supposed to send the items, she postponed it, saying she had a fight with her husband."

Eventually, the items arrived after two months, but instead of a bag worth millions of won, a random knitwear was delivered. When the victim confronted A, she replied that "the package was sent incorrectly." The angry victim requested a refund, but A delayed it with various excuses.

The victim said, "I thought she was selling expensive items because she was financially comfortable, but I never thought she would commit fraud while posting photos of her family and children," adding, "It seems she self-destructed when her Ponzi scheme failed."

She also collected money by claiming to provide luxury purchase agency services. Another victim decided to buy two luxury bags worth about 7 million KRW for 2.8 million KRW each, based on A's offer. However, after sending the money last year, the victim neither received the items nor a refund.

'VIP' Built on Debt... "It Seemed Like a Shopping Addiction"

The 'department store VIP' reputation that A flaunted was also built on debt. A department store employee said, "VIPs and managers subtly build friendships. Later, they say things like 'If the manager swipes the card, I'll pay you back,'" adding, "A hasn't made payments since August last year." As she kept delaying payments, A's excuses included "My mother has blood cancer" and "(My child) was bullied at school."

When the production team asked A about the situation, she responded, "Did you properly check before calling? Isn't this voice phishing?" and said, "I'm so unfairly treated that I can't speak." A's husband said, "There were money problems, but I thought everything was resolved." Only afterward did A meet with the production team and apologize, saying, "I'm really sorry." She confessed, "I was very greedy for clothes; it was like a shopping addiction. It was pathological," and "I bought a lot continuously. I was short on money, so that happened."

A was reportedly sent to the prosecution in March on fraud charges. However, according to the department store employee, A has been delaying resolving the issue, even recently demanding a coat be sent while saying she was going on a 'panic recovery trip.'