Seoul Gangdong Police Station Presents Appreciation Certificates to Bank Clerks and Security Guards for Voice Phishing Prevention

Gang Sang-gil, Chief of Gangdong Police Station in Seoul, presenting a letter of appreciation to a bank clerk who prevented voice phishing./Photo by Gangdong Police Station

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] The Gangdong Police Station in Seoul announced on the 16th that it awarded certificates of appreciation to a bank clerk and a security guard who prevented voice phishing.

On that day, Oh Yuna, a teller at Woori Bank Sangil-dong Station Branch, who received the certificate of appreciation, noticed the unnatural behavior of victim A, who was trying to withdraw 13 million won in cash around 4 p.m. on the 8th, and promptly reported it to the police. Victim A said they received a phone call saying, "This is Woori Bank, we will provide a loan at a low interest rate. We will send someone, so withdraw your existing loan amount in cash and hand it over."

Kim Nam-ho, a security guard working at KB Kookmin Bank Gubeundari Station Branch, also received a certificate of appreciation. Around 3 p.m. on the 12th, he noticed victim B attempting to withdraw 15 million won, reported it to 112, and, together with the branch manager, stopped the withdrawal to prevent damage. Victim B had already handed over 15 million won to the voice phishing gang on the 11th after receiving a call saying, "If you repay your existing loan of 30 million won, we will provide a loan of 50 million won at a low interest rate."

Kang Sang-gil, chief of Gangdong Police Station, said, "Due to the cell-like structure of voice phishing, once damage occurs, it is very difficult to recover the lost funds, so prevention is most important." He added, "If there is any suspicious activity such as large cash withdrawals at bank counters or ATMs, please report it to 112, and we will promptly respond to verify whether damage has occurred."