20s Involved in Voice Phishing by Spoofing '010' Caller ID

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] Four relay station managers who assisted a phone financial fraud organization by manipulating the caller ID have been arrested.

The Anti-Corruption Economic Crime Investigation Unit of the Gwangju Police Agency announced on the 12th that four relay station managers in their 20s were arrested on charges including violation of the Telecommunications Business Act.

They are accused of inserting SIM cards registered under other people's names into mobile phones from October last year until recently, manipulating international phone numbers into domestic mobile phone numbers under the direction of voice phishing organization members.

These individuals, who had no steady jobs, reportedly committed these crimes in exchange for 500,000 won per group.

In particular, one person, who was caught while acting as a 'cash collector' for voice phishing and was undergoing trial, committed the same type of crime again to raise criminal settlement money.

The police raided officetel one-room complexes used as 'relay stations' and seized 202 mobile phones and 760 illegally activated SIM cards used in the crimes.

The police are conducting follow-up investigations targeting higher-ups based on the arrested suspects and have so far detained seven related individuals.

Overseas voice phishing organization members who received help from the relay station managers are accused of approaching victims by impersonating investigative agencies and embezzling 400 million won.

A police official urged, "Since methods such as installing relay devices in one-room apartments under the pretext of internet monitoring side jobs or home-based part-time jobs, or carrying relay devices in vehicles with promises of high pay are used, special caution is required."