“Referral by Acquaintance”? Lee Seung-gi Unwittingly Pulled Into Online Investment Scam

Singer and actor Lee Seung-gi has found himself the unauthorized face of a suspicious online investment platform — and his agency is taking strong legal action in response.

On April 15, his agency Big Planet Made Entertainment issued an official statement warning fans and the public to be cautious of a website that has been illegally using Lee Seung-gi’s photo and likeness to promote investments. The site falsely suggests that Lee is affiliated with the platform, using his image as if he were a brand ambassador.

⚠️ Fake Endorsement, Real Risks

According to the agency, the website uses phrases like “referral by acquaintance” and “recruiting investors” to lure in users, all while displaying Lee Seung-gi’s image without permission — creating the false impression that he endorses the site or is directly involved.

“We confirm that our artist Lee Seung-gi’s portrait rights have been used without authorization in misleading advertisements on an online investment site,” the company said.

“Lee Seung-gi has absolutely no connection to the business in question, and we urge the public to remain extremely cautious.”

Legal Action Underway

Big Planet Made Entertainment has already taken formal steps, including sending a legal notice to the site operator and initiating both civil and criminal proceedings.

The company emphasized:

“We will not overlook these illegal actions involving the unauthorized use of our artist’s image. We will continue to take strong legal action without leniency to protect Lee Seung-gi’s rights and to prevent public harm.”

"Hello, this is Big Planet Made Entertainment.

We have recently confirmed that an online investment platform has illegally used the image of our artist, Lee Seung-gi, for unauthorized advertising and false promotional content.

The website in question has been using phrases such as "referral by acquaintance" and "recruiting investors" to solicit investments, while displaying images of Lee Seung-gi without permission, giving the false impression that he is affiliated with or modeling for the platform.

Accordingly, we have sent a formal legal notice to the site’s operator and are currently proceeding with both civil and criminal legal action, including filing complaints.

We would like to reiterate that Lee Seung-gi has absolutely no connection whatsoever to this company, and we strongly urge everyone to be extremely cautious of any fraudulent attempts to solicit investment by misusing his image and likeness.

Our company will not overlook this illegal behavior involving the unauthorized use of our artist’s portrait rights. We will continue to take firm legal action without leniency to protect Lee Seung-gi’s rights and to prevent harm to the public.

Thank you."

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