As a seasoned crypto investor with a knack for navigating the digital financial landscape, I must confess that the recent turn of events involving Haru Invest and their CEO, Hugo Hyungsoo Lee, has left me somewhat shaken. The audacity of such a crime being committed within the confines of a courtroom, during a trial no less, is truly unparalleled in my experience.


Hugo Hyungsoo Lee, the CEO of Haruinvest (Haru), a South Korean cryptocurrency-earning company, was attacked in court and stabbed multiple times in the neck. The attack happened on the 28th of August at the time when Mr. Lee, the CEO of Haru Invest, was on trial for his involvement in a scam that involved cryptocurrencies. Three senior executives of Haru Invest, including Mr. Lee, have been accused of embezzling about $826 million worth of cryptocurrency from 16,000 users.

The crime took place during the eighth hearing of the fraud case against Mr. Lee at the Seoul Southern District Court in 2024. Mr. Lee, who was arrested and charged with fraud under the Aggravated Punishment Act for Specific Economic Crimes earlier that year, had been released on bail in July. The incident occurred while his trial was ongoing, as Mr. Lee sat in the designated chair for defendants when someone from the audience attacked him.

Haru Invest CEO Stabbed by Angry Victim, Attacker Arrested

In the courtroom, a man identified as Mr. Kang, who is in his 40s and had been affected by the Haru Invest incident, managed to hide a small knife, approximately 5 cm long, within the courtroom. Mr. Kang, who had been observing the trial, suddenly assaulted Mr. Lee, repeatedly stabbing him in the neck. The ensuing scene was chaotic as Mr. Lee collapsed and began to bleed heavily inside the courtroom.

Immediately, safety measures in the courtroom sprang into action to disarm Kang and safeguard everyone from further harm. A trail of blood marked Mr. Lee’s shirt and the courtroom floor, with circular stains roughly 30 cm in diameter. Within moments, police and emergency responders arrived at the crime scene following the violent incident. Given his urgent need for medical care, Mr. Lee was hastily transported to the closest hospital via an ambulance.

Following the occurrence, officers from the Yangcheon Police Station in Seoul apprehended Mr. Kang and initiated an investigation into the assault. The motive behind the attack may be linked to the significant fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) felt by users of Haru Invest, allegedly perpetrated by Mr. Kang.

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2024-08-29 11:13