Hong Kong star Jackson Wang is a former member of the Korean group GOT7. Photo: Jackson Wang/Instagram
In 2023, a group of Jackson Wang fans in Thailand was deceived into buying fake concert tickets and memorabilia, losing a total of 2.3mil baht (RM295,409), according to Bangkok Post.
Now, a scammer has exploited Wang’s popularity again, this time defrauding a 48-year-old Thai woman of 5mil baht (RM642,104) by impersonating the Hong Kong singer.
Ironically, the woman wasn’t even a fan of the former GOT7 member, according to 8days based on a Thai media report.
The money she lost included her entire savings and funds meant for her mother’s medical expenses.
The scam reportedly began in 2023, when the woman liked a clip of Wang on social media.
Soon, she was messaged on the app by someone claiming to be the star.
Though initially sceptical, she was somewhat convinced after a video call that appeared to feature 30-year-old Wang.
The impersonator invited her to join his “VIP Fan Club”, promising concert access and backstage meet-ups.
Despite her initial lack of interest, the scammer sent repeated messages, videos, and promotional materials, ultimately persuading her to transfer 70,000 baht (RM8,987) in cryptocurrency.
Further communications led her to send nearly 5mil baht in total.
When her funds were exhausted, the person’s attitude towards her started to change from being affectionate to being even more demanding about sending money.
This was when she realised she had been scammed.
She has since filed a police report, though the authorities have made little progress.
Now all she’s left with is anxiety and distress, said the article.
