Why 13 Million-Subscriber YouTuber Tzuyang Warned, "Do Not Transfer Any Money Under Any Circumstances"

Warning About Fraudulent Impersonation Accounts
"Demanding Donations to Personal Bank Accounts"

Meokbang YouTuber Tzuyang, who has 13 million subscribers, has urged caution regarding impersonation accounts and fraud involving requests for money.

On February 3, Tzuyang posted a notice titled "Guidance on TikTok Impersonation Accounts and Fraudulent Money Requests" on her YouTube community. She wrote, "We have confirmed a scam in which someone impersonates Tzuyang on short-form platforms such as TikTok, uploads videos without permission, and then requests donations to a personal bank account."

YouTuber Tzuyang is doing a Haengun Burger meokbang. Photo: YouTube screenshot

Tzuyang’s side stated, "The account in question is posting a bank account (Suhyup Bank) under the name of a third party who has no connection whatsoever with Tzuyang and is attempting to swindle money from an unspecified number of people," stressing, "Do not transfer any money under any circumstances."

They have already requested the platform to urgently suspend all posts on the impersonation account. Tzuyang’s side added that, under a zero-tolerance policy, they plan to initiate legal action, including criminal complaints and civil lawsuits. They went on to specify the charges as "fraud and attempted fraud under the Criminal Act, violation of the Copyright Act (unauthorized use of videos), violation of the Information and Communications Network Act, and violation of the Unfair Competition Prevention Act (risk of confusion, infringement of publicity rights, and misappropriation of another person’s work)."

The disclosed impersonation account contained Tzuyang’s videos and photos posted without permission, and its profile listed a bank account number along with phrases such as "Tzuyang fund-raising account for helping neighbors in need" and "Tzuyang support."

A TikTok impersonation account that posted Tzuyang's photos and videos without permission. YouTube screenshot

This is not the first time Tzuyang has been used in impersonation scams. Previously, there was a so-called "no-show scam" case in which an impersonator, introducing themselves as Tzuyang or a member of her filming crew, called restaurants, ordered expensive wine, had the payment made in advance, and then made demands related to it.

The "no-show scam" is a new type of voice phishing that exploits no-show behavior after making a reservation without any cancellation notice, by demanding group orders or proxy purchases and then stealing the money.

At that time as well, Tzuyang’s side had warned, saying, "All official discussions and arrangements related to work are conducted only through the official email address registered on the channel."

Previously, through the Haengun Burger product, under which 100 won is donated for each burger sold, Tzuyang visited Seoul Asan Medical Center in Songpa-gu, Seoul, delivered a donation of 50 million won, and received a plaque of appreciation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.