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Obsessed fans steal personal data from K-pop stars

Personal information of South Korean singers in popular idol groups is at risk as obsessed fans have begun stealing and trading the sensitive information online, local media reported on Monday.

According to a report by Munhwa Ilbo, some fans have stolen personal information belonging to K-pop idols, such as resident registration numbers or credit card details, and sold them on the Web and social media sites.

“They allegedly lift personal data by detecting online usernames that are often used by a certain idol group member and then hack into the star’s email account,” the newspaper article said, quoting a source familiar with the case.

These so-called “saseang fans,” who stalk K-pop stars around the clock, have been known to chase their favorite members to the airport and photograph the personal information on their passports.

“It’s a piece of cake to steal a credit card transaction record once you have a resident registration number,” said a fan who declined to be identified.

According to the police, some of the offenders have opened mobile phone accounts using the resident registration numbers they stole.

(khnews@heraldcorp.com)