[Asia Economy Reporter Na Yeeun] A foreign national acting as a withdrawal agent for a phone financial fraud (voice phishing) organization, which tried to swindle tens of millions of won by falsely claiming "my son was kidnapped," has been caught by the police. A victim in her 70s, deceived by the gang, escaped the crisis because her cellphone battery died.
On the 27th, Jeonbuk Jeonju Wansan Police Station announced that they have arrested and are investigating A (41, female), a Thai national, on charges including fraud. A is suspected of attempting to swindle 20 million won from victim B (75) in front of a villa in Samcheon-dong, Jeonju City on the 26th.
At the time, B was deceived by a phone call saying, "Your son has been kidnapped, prepare 50 million won in cash," and canceled her savings at a nearby bank. When she said, "The only money I have is a 20 million won savings account, I don't know what to do," A told her, "Then at least bring 20 million won."
After withdrawing the money and running from Imsil to Jeonju, B met a man and handed over the money. The man said, "Exchange the check for cash," and B immediately ran to the bank to convert the check into cash.
At that moment, her cellphone battery died, and thinking "I must not lose contact," B went to the nearby Samcheon Police Substation to ask for a phone charge.
While talking with B, the police officers heard the story and immediately suspected it was a voice phishing scam. Five substation staff members then went undercover in plain clothes to the meeting place and headed to the scene. A was there, and the police arrested her on the spot.
The police are currently pursuing the man who took 10 million won from B.
A police official said, "If the victim had not visited the substation to charge her phone, she would have suffered the full loss, so it is fortunate that it was only half. We will actively work to prevent damage and catch criminals by promoting and cooperating with financial institutions to report withdrawals over 10 million won to 112 for phone financial fraud prevention."
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