PANews reported on April 19th that, according to South Korean media HeraldCorp, a black market for counterfeit documents has emerged in South Korea, offering various fake official documents, including diplomas from prestigious universities. For approximately $200 worth of cryptocurrency, one can obtain a diploma that closely resembles an authentic Yonsei University certificate. Those involved solicit clients through channels such as Telegram, promising to provide proof of enrollment, diplomas, and other materials, delivered within hours. They prioritize accepting cryptocurrency or digital gift cards to circumvent the regulatory risks associated with bank transfers. The counterfeit documents also include driver's licenses, proof of kinship, criminal record checks, and loan documents.

South Korean police stated that the number of forgery cases has increased significantly in recent years, with the number of arrests nearly doubling between 2021 and 2023. However, a large number of cases remain undetected. Law enforcement agencies are intensifying their crackdown on related criminal activities and are urging the public to be vigilant against such illegal activities.