Yoon Hee-geun, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, "69 Trillion Won in Fraud Damage Over 3 Years, Need to Establish a Control Tower"

Cumulative Damage Amounts to 69 Trillion Won... Increasing Need for Establishment of Fraud Information Analysis Center

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] Yoon Hee-geun, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, stated on the 23rd, "The amount of damage caused by fraud crimes over the past three years has reached 68.9 trillion won," and added, "A national-level control tower must be established to integrate and analyze fraud information and prevent it in advance."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Commissioner Yoon made these remarks while attending the 'Legislative Public Hearing on the Basic Act on Fraud Prevention' held at the National Assembly in the afternoon.

This public hearing was held to discuss the Basic Act on Fraud Prevention proposed by Kim Yong-pan, a member of the People Power Party. The main contents include the establishment of a basic fraud prevention plan every three years by the National Police Agency, the installation of a Fraud Information Analysis Center, and the introduction of undercover investigations and disclosure of personal information.

Commissioner Yoon emphasized, "Fraud crimes are economic murders that destroy the foundation of an individual and family's life," and added, "We must protect the people's property and the national economy by installing a control tower."

Assemblyman Kim said, "Recently, fraud crimes have become internationalized by exploiting finance and communication technologies, but it is difficult to respond effectively to new methods," and stated, "A Fraud Information Analysis Center should be established under the National Police Agency to perform the control tower function."

Professor Seo Jun-bae, who presented on the topic of establishing a Fraud Information Analysis Center and enhancing the fraud crime response system, pointed out, "With the advancement of information and communication technology, fraud crimes are becoming transnational," and added, "Several countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Singapore, Taiwan, and Hong Kong are responding to fraud crimes by establishing integrated fraud reporting centers and information analysis organizations."

Professor Na Jong-min, who participated as a discussant, also stated, "The current methods of responding to 112 emergency calls or handling complaints and accusations at the police station level have fundamental limitations," and emphasized, "The integrated database built around the Fraud Information Analysis Center should be actively utilized by private sectors such as telecommunications companies and financial institutions."

There was also a call for the introduction of new investigative methods. Judge Kim Min-su said, "New types of fraud crimes are organized as cell-structured organized crimes, making it very difficult to arrest even senior members," and added, "The need to introduce new investigative methods to effectively respond to new forms of crime has increased."

However, he added that improvements should follow, such as ▲ supplementing control procedures like court approval for non-disclosed investigations ▲ legislating to require prosecutors' involvement in court approval procedures ▲ regulations obligating investigative agencies to notify subjects of undercover investigations.

In response, Research Director Kim Dae-geun said, "While the necessity of judicial control over undercover investigations is acknowledged, it is questionable whether the method should be prior control through court approval," and stated, "Considering the secrecy and promptness of investigations, post-control measures such as excluding illegally obtained evidence or holding separate accountability for illegality are preferable."

Meanwhile, the National Police Agency said, "Due to the emergence of new methods, fraud crimes are expected to become more sophisticated and increase in occurrence," and added, "Considering the urgent need to establish an advanced response system, develop investigative techniques, and revise related laws, we will actively work on countermeasures."