Bithumb Warns of Rising AI-Powered Crypto Phishing Scams in South Korea

South Korean cryptocurrency exchange Bithumb has launched a new anti-phishing campaign after a surge in AI-driven crypto scams targeting digital asset investors across the country.

The exchange released a “Voice Phishing Complete Guide” on May 14, warning users about increasingly sophisticated fraud tactics involving deepfake voices, fake customer support calls and AI-generated video meetings. The campaign follows reports of scammers using artificial intelligence to impersonate family members, financial officials and exchange employees during live calls.

According to local media reports, one recent case in Hong Kong involved fraudsters using an AI-generated video conference to steal nearly 40 billion won from a victim, raising concerns across the region’s crypto industry.

Bithumb warned that attackers are pressuring users to install remote access applications, reveal sensitive account information or transfer funds to unfamiliar wallet addresses. The exchange also cautioned users against clicking suspicious links from unverified sources, noting that phishing attempts have become significantly more convincing with the use of AI tools.

To strengthen account protection, Bithumb encouraged users to enable two-factor authentication, overseas IP blocking and telecom-based AI phishing detection services on mobile devices.

The security warning comes as Bithumb faces growing regulatory and operational pressure in South Korea’s crypto sector. Earlier this year, the exchange reportedly experienced a system error that mistakenly credited users with large amounts of Bitcoin instead of Korean won. Meanwhile, South Korean regulators continue tightening oversight of digital asset platforms, including stricter compliance requirements for cross-border crypto transfers and exchange operations.