Malaysian social media influencer Kim Seri, known for her travel content, has denied allegations that she fled to Japan following a scandal involving fraudulent South Korea tour packages, according to SCMP.
Kim Seri, whose real name is Seri Azlina, assured her followers she remains in South Korea and is cooperating fully with the authorities. This follows reports of nearly half a million ringgit in losses tied to her travel packages, as reported by Sinar Harian.
“I never intended to escape to Japan or live there. I am still in Korea and ready to assist in any investigations,” she clarified in an Instagram post on Thursday.
The Seoul-based influencer recently issued a public apology and pledged to refund affected customers. She acknowledged the issues and expressed regret for the situation.The controversy gained traction after a viral video surfaced, featuring one of her alleged victims stranded at South Korea’s Incheon International Airport. The victim claimed she and her group were left without flight tickets that were promised as part of the package.
“At the ticket counter, we found our names weren’t even in the system,” the woman alleged in the video, which quickly spread across social media platforms.The complainant shared that she and her fellow passengers eventually managed to return to Malaysia, thanks to assistance from a third party.
Meanwhile, Malaysia’s Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director, Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf, revealed that authorities had received 24 police reports so far, with estimated losses totaling 454,450 ringgit (approximately US$100,724).
Ramli encouraged other victims to promptly file police reports to aid the ongoing investigation.
Kim Seri’s case highlights the risks involved in influencer-led travel packages and serves as a cautionary tale for consumers to exercise due diligence. As the investigation unfolds, her reputation and future in the travel industry remain uncertain.
Photo: SCMP
