"Father Missing After Falling Victim to Voice Phishing... Whereabouts Unknown in Busan"

On the 31st of last month, a post was uploaded on an online community stating that a man in his 60s, presumed to have been a victim of a voice phishing scam, has gone missing. Photo by Online Community

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] A post claiming that a man in his 60s, presumed to have been a victim of a voice phishing scam, has gone missing is spreading on online communities, and the missing man's son is pleading, "Please help us find my father."

In an interview with CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' on the 5th, the missing man's son, Park Eul-seong, said, "Please forget everything else and think of my mother, and just make one phone call. I hope he comes home soon."

According to Park, his father, who went missing on the 26th of last month, lost about 45 million won to a voice phishing scam and disappeared after leaving a suicide note due to the shock. The police confirmed that Park arrived at Busan Seobu Terminal on the 4th, but have not been able to trace his whereabouts since then.

Park explained, "The store's financial situation was very difficult, so while looking into loans, he was checking government loans related to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), and it seems he experienced this incident. They approached him by first asking for a large sum of money upfront, saying they would provide a loan to my father after that."

He added, "There were others who suffered the same scam on the internet. From the 20th until the 25th, before my father disappeared, about 45 million won was withdrawn in cash."

He continued, "The police say the culprit has been caught, but the people who ran errands to withdraw cash and the mastermind at the top are still under investigation," he added.

A man in his 60s who went missing after falling victim to voice phishing on the 26th of last month. He was last seen leaving Busan Sasang Terminal, and no further trace of him has been found. Photo by online community

Park said his father left home without his mobile phone, credit cards, or anything else, and there has been no contact at all. He said, "We have footage of him arriving at Sasang Terminal and leaving, but there is no other news. He left his credit cards behind as well. There is no trace to be found."

Finally, he appealed, "Please forget everything else and think of my mother, and at least make one phone call or come back home quickly. My father had back surgery and walks with a slight limp, so please look carefully at the photos and send any tips you may have."