Five Arrested for Mask Sales Fraud
Investigation Also Targets 11 Hoarding Companies
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] Police investigations into illegal activities related to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) are gaining momentum.
According to the National Police Agency on the 24th, police have investigated a total of 92 cases, including 70 cases of spreading false and fabricated information and 22 cases of personal information leaks, and have arrested 59 people in 46 cases as of the previous day.
Among the 46 cases arrested, 12 involved the spread of false and fabricated information or personal information through local 'mom cafes,' and 13 involved leaks of internal report photos taken by public officials or other work-related personnel.
In particular, as the number of infections rapidly increased recently in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions, fake news has also spread, with a total of 17 cases (11 in Daegu and 6 in Gyeongbuk) detected in these areas so far. Additionally, 269 cases of false and fabricated information have been subject to deletion and blocking requests to the Korea Communications Standards Commission and other agencies.
Regarding mask sales fraud, investigations are currently underway nationwide for a total of 810 cases. Among these, police have uncovered 18 cases and arrested 5 suspects. In Ulsan, a suspect was arrested for posting "KF mask urgent sale" on a secondhand goods cafe and extorting approximately 98 million won from three people. In Seoul, another suspect was similarly arrested for deceiving three people on WeChat by claiming to sell 43,000 masks and embezzling 110 million won. In Gangneung, Gangwon Province, a suspect who impersonated an employee of a mask sales company and collected 330 million won was urgently arrested and detained.
Regarding mask hoarding, 11 companies have been reported by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and are under investigation. Additionally, two suspects who were arrested for obstructing business operations at clubs and restaurants and falsely claimed to be infected with COVID-19 were also detained.
National Police Agency Commissioner Min Gap-ryong stated, "Malicious production and distribution of false information, personal information leaks, and mask hoarding and sales fraud are serious illegal acts that negatively impact the national economy and cause public anxiety and social confusion," adding, "We will respond strictly and decisively, including through detention investigations."
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