지난해 조지아, 메릴랜드, 캘리포니아, 뉴욕 등 한인사회에서 시니어를 대상으로 다단계 투자 사기 의혹을 불러일으킨 존 김(61)이 수사 1년여 만에 체포돼 현재 귀넷 카운티 교도소에 관련 혐의로 수감돼 있는 가운데, 김씨에게 당한 피해자가 전국적으로 220여명이 넘는 것으로 나타났다.

김씨는 온라인 투자업체 CMP(Club Mega Plant)를 직간접적으로 운영하며 다단계 투자사기를 자행했다고 알려졌다.  지난해 김씨로부터 투자 사기를 당했다고 주장한 애틀랜타 피해자의 가족은 8일 기자와의 통화에서 지난해 피해자 대책위원회가 추정한 피해 금액에 대해 “1000만 달러보다 많을 것”이라며 “전국적으로 자신이 피해자라고 이름을 적은 분들만 220여명이고, 실제로는 500명은 될 것”이라고 전했다.

그는 전국 피해자 220명 중 귀넷 카운티에서만 50여명이 있으며, 자신의 이름과 피해를 밝힌 피해자는 더 있을 것으로 추정한다고 말했다.  그에 따르면 피해자의 연령대는 65~70세로, 주로 은퇴자들이다.

한편 법원 문서에 의하면 존 김 측 변호사는 현재 무죄를 주장하고 있는 상황으로, 당초 7일로 예정된 예비심사(preliminary hearing)가 14일로 연기됐다.

조지아, 메릴랜드, 캘리포니아, 뉴욕 등지의 한인들을 대상으로 온라인 투자회사 ‘CMP(Club Mega Plant)’를 통해 다단계 투자사기를 저지른 의혹을 받고 있는 용의자 존 김(61)이 14일 일단 보석으로 석방이 결정됐다.

이날 귀넷 구치소 법정에서 열린 예비심문(preliminary hearing)에서 판사는 김 씨가 조사에 협조적이었다는 점, 귀넷 카운티 소재 가족의 집에서 지내겠다고 한 점 등을 고려해 보석을 허용했다. 보석금은 1만달러가 책정됐다.

심문에서 그동안의 조사 과정에 대해 진술한 벤자민 커비 수사관은 26명의 피해자 신고가 접수됐다고 언급하며 “피해자들이 존 김을 둘루스 소재 엠버시 스위츠 호텔에서 만났다는 등의 진술이 일관됐다”고 말했다.



John Kim, a Korean-American arrested on a felony charge of theft by taking in Georgia, was released on bail during a preliminary hearing on June 14.

The judge set his bail at $10,000, considering his cooperation with the investigation and agreement to stay at his family’s home in Georgia.

John Kim, 61, allegedly operated Club Mega Planet (CMP), an online investment company that targeted ethnic Korean seniors, either directly or indirectly. He was arrested in early June after over a year of investigation and has been held in Gwinnett County Jail.

He primarily focused on the Atlanta Korean community, as well as Maryland, New York, and other locations, using pyramid and Ponzi schemes—a fraudulent and unsustainable investment pitch that promises unrealistic returns from imaginary investments—to lure people in.

Many self-proclaimed victims of John Kim’s pyramid scheme scam stated that they were approached by associates of the pyramid scheme with promises of high returns and religious exploitation.

In early June 2022, Ms. Lee, who resides in Los Angeles, was approached by an acquaintance about an investment opportunity. After meeting at a coffee shop, John Kim informed her about an online investment company called Club Mega Planet (CMP) that claimed to have numerous members worldwide.

“I was skeptical because they didn’t disclose their job titles or the CEO’s identity, but my acquaintances invested, and even an elderly man at the coffee shop that day offered to invest $200,000. Eventually, I decided to invest because they promised 10,000 points on their website, but two days later, I didn’t hear anything back from them,” said Lee.

Virginia resident Mr. Kim also attended a CMP investment presentation at the request of an acquaintance. He claims to have lost approximately $75,000 and stated, “I not only lost money but also damaged my relationship with my children due to rumors in my neighborhood.” Kim blamed local “reps” or “middle managers” who held relatively high positions in the pyramid scheme.

Maryland resident Mr. Park also encountered John Kim through a friend’s referral. He claimed to have introduced over 1,000 people to the investments and had 30,000 “accounts” under his name (as one person could create multiple accounts). Park, who ultimately lost $110,000, declared, “In Maryland alone, the losses exceed $1 million, with most of the victims being seniors over 65 years old.”

John Kim promised investors high returns in his pyramid scheme by distributing points or profits to establish credibility. Initially, he guaranteed a 30% monthly return on investments, which he fulfilled. However, he later changed his stance, stating, “I’ll only pay you if you bring in more investors,” to sustain the pyramid scheme.

Victims claim that Kim was persuasive and exploited their trust. “He spoke about God frequently,” says Lee from Los Angeles. “He would pray before meals and discuss his desire to help the poor and engage in missionary work.”

The family of the Georgia victim also alleged that John Kim recruited investors under the guise of missionary work.