"Withdraw and Come Back"... Police's Clever Tactic to Lure Fleeing Voice Phishing Suspect Back to Bank

Attempted to Withdraw 190 Million Won in Cash from Bank and Fled
Police Instruct Bank Staff to Call Suspect Saying "Withdrawal Approved"

The police ingeniously made an emergency arrest of a voice phishing (telephone financial fraud) suspect who fled from a bank after attempting to withdraw 190 million won in cash.

On the 20th, Yonhap News reported that the Jungbu Police Station in Seoul has booked and is investigating a man in his 30s, Mr. A, on fraud charges after he tried to withdraw cash using a "daepo" account at a bank in Jung-gu, Seoul around 11:15 a.m. on the 16th but fled. At the time, Mr. A asked the bank staff to withdraw 190 million won, and the bank employee confirmed that the account was a "daepo" account used for voice phishing and secretly reported it to the police. Mr. A noticed the bank employee's report to the police and fled the scene.

Police officers from the Chungmu Police Box who arrived at the bank after the report used their wits to capture the suspect. The police had the bank employee call Mr. A and tell him, "It seems possible to withdraw the money, so please return to the bank." Believing this, Mr. A returned to the bank, where police officers lying in wait made an emergency arrest. The police also confirmed that Mr. A had previously withdrawn 65 million won through voice phishing and are investigating the detailed circumstances of the case.

Meanwhile, the Integrated Reporting and Response Center, which helps victims of phishing crimes such as voice phishing with prompt and professional responses, marked its 200th day since its launch on the 14th. The center, which officially began operations on October 4 last year, handles various reports and consultations related to phishing, including reports just before victimization. Over the past seven months, about 150,000 reports, tips, and consultations have been processed, averaging over 1,000 cases per day.

Before the center was established, victims of phishing crimes had to report crimes to 112, phone number reports to 118, and account reports to 1332, causing confusion and inconvenience for victims. Currently, counselors from the National Police Agency, the Financial Supervisory Service, and the Korea Internet & Security Agency work together at the center. If you suspect phishing damage, you only need to report to 112, and the center will provide professional and integrated counseling all at once.