"Clicking 'Delivery Delay' Leads to Financial Information Theft... 9,482 COVID-19 Related Smishing Cases"

Nearly 10,000 Smishing Messages Impersonating COVID-19 Detected
Containing Topics of High Public Interest Such as Delivery Delays and Free Mask Shipping

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] [**Courier] "Delivery delays due to novel coronavirus" "Get free masks for coronavirus”

Clicking on such messages has been found to lead to 9,482 cases of 'smishing texts' that steal personal financial information or connect to hacking apps.

On the 11th, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced that by strengthening monitoring of novel coronavirus-related smishing, they analyzed a total of 4 malicious apps, blocked 8 confirmed distribution sites, and 4 information leakage sites. As of the 10th, the cumulative number of smishing texts related to the novel coronavirus was counted at 9,482.

Citizens who discover smishing texts, malicious apps, or hacking emails related to the novel coronavirus can report them to the 118 Center without area code, the telecom customer service centers, or report phishing/smishing incidents on the Boho Nara (Protection Country) website. Going forward, the Ministry of Science and ICT will strengthen information-sharing systems with related organizations such as the Korea Communications Commission, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Financial Supervisory Service, and National Police Agency to speed up the entire process of smishing detection, analysis, and blocking.

Minister Choi Ki-young urged, “To prevent telecommunication financial fraud related to the novel coronavirus, we will strengthen mutual cooperation among related organizations and respond swiftly to incidents to ensure that no harm comes to the public.”