South Korean retail investors reported roughly $250 million in losses linked to stock-tip chatroom fraud during the first half of 2026, while police investigated 3,506 cases involving 336 billion won nationwide. The money involved increased 19.8% from the same period in 2025, compared with a 4.1% rise in case numbers. At the exchange rate used in the report, 336 billion won equaled $246.57 million. Fraudsters reportedly exploited the excitement surrounding the KOSPI's record run and subsequent market uncertainty, using fake brokerage apps, impersonated securities-company employees, AI-generated material and claims of returns as high as 600%. A Seoul investigation led to 10 arrests in June over an alleged Cambodia-based scheme that took roughly 9.9 billion won from 59 South Koreans between February 2024 and February 2026. The police statistics count investigated cases rather than individual victims, and a single case can include several victims. Financial authorities launched a nationwide fraud-prevention campaign on Sept. 2 that will run through the end of 2026, while police, regulators and online platforms continue efforts to detect scams and warn investors.