"Mom, my phone is broken..." The identity of the urgent voice echoing on the bus

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Seoyoung] In Haeundae, Busan, an audio track aimed at preventing crimes involving impersonation of children using city bus announcement broadcasts attracted attention.

On the 29th, the Haeundae Police Station announced that they are playing an audio track adapted from so-called 'messenger phishing' cases at bus stops with high passenger boarding and alighting on city bus routes passing through the police station. With the cooperation of the bus company, this audio is inserted after the destination announcement and is provided about 1,200 times a day on buses of six different routes.

According to the police station, the broadcast audio simulates a situation where a child contacts their parent via text message because their phone is broken and they cannot call. For example, it includes phrases like "Mom, it's me, my phone is broken so I'm contacting you this way," and "But Mom, I need you to do something for me."

Then, the audio says, "Wait, are you being deceived?" followed by "Child impersonation phishing crime, stop and verify first. It can be prevented." The purpose is to raise passengers' awareness of the crime as they listen to the content. This audio has been produced in two versions: one for child impersonation messenger phishing and another for smishing impersonating government agencies, and will be broadcast until November 29.

A crime prevention video against impersonation scams targeting children produced by Busan Haeundae Police Station.
[Photo by Busan Police Agency]

According to the police, analysis of data collected from the Financial Supervisory Service showed that the amount of damage caused by messenger phishing impersonating family and acquaintances increased by 165.4% compared to the previous year. The police stated, "Since 85.8% of all phishing crime victims are in their 50s and 60s, we designate bus routes with many passengers in that age group to broadcast the audio."