South Korean man poisoned business partner after losing $800 000 on bitcoin crash

The prosecution believes the man poisoned his partner amid losses from crypto investments.
He mixed the forbidden insecticide methomyl into coffee, and the victim spent three days in a coma.
The case became part of a series of crimes linked to cryptocurrency investments.

The Seoul Eastern District Prosecutor's Office indicted a 39-year-old man for attempted murder and violation of pesticide control laws. This occurred due to a conflict over bitcoin investments, according to CD.

According to the investigation, the suspect attempted to poison his business partner due to financial losses.

The incident occurred on November 23, 2025 at a café near Sokchon Lake in Songpa-gu District. The suspect gave his partner coffee into which, according to prosecutors, methomyl—a toxic insecticide forbidden for use—was mixed.
The victim lost consciousness shortly after consuming the drink and was hospitalized in the intensive care unit. The poisoning victim spent three days in a coma, and doctors barely managed to stabilize his condition, according to a police report.

He is now undergoing treatment and requires medical supervision, investigators stated.

According to law enforcement, the men had been conducting joint business since 2022 and managing funds through investment programs linked to bitcoin. The conflict intensified after one of the partners lost over $811 000 in personal investments and could not recover the funds.
Conflict over cryptocurrencies

Investigators believe tensions between the partners heightened during the cryptocurrency's price decline.

By the time of the incident, the asset had already lost approximately one-third of its value from the previous all-time high around $126 000. This significantly increased pressure on investors.
Prosecutors argue that the suspect acquired the poison in advance and began planning the attack after management of the company's funds transferred to his partner. The first court hearing is scheduled for March 10, 2026 at the Seoul Eastern District Court.

The case is being examined against the backdrop of rising crimes linked to cryptocurrency and investment disputes. Analysts are recording an increase in cases of physical pressure on cryptocurrency owners and transaction participants, including threats, kidnappings, and attacks. In recent years, such incidents have occurred in various countries, from home invasions of company executives to kidnappings aimed at forcing access to digital wallets. Experts link this to rising asset values and the lack of centralized control over funds.