Uiryeong Volunteer Patrol Prevents 10.6 Million Won Voice Phishing Scam

A voice phishing criminal who deceived a victim by promising a low-interest refinancing loan was caught thanks to the keen observation of a volunteer patrol member and the quick response of the police.

Uiryeong Police Station in Gyeongnam announced on the 16th that they have booked and are investigating a man in his 50s, identified as Mr. A, on suspicion of receiving money from a victim under the pretense of a low-interest refinancing loan.

Bundles of cash recovered by the police from a telephone financial fraud suspect. [Photo by Gyeongnam Police Agency]

According to the police, at around 1:47 p.m. on the 14th, Mr. A received 10.6 million won in cash from the victim, Mr. B, in an alley near Uiryeong County Health Center in Uiryeong-eup, and attempted to flee but was arrested nearby.

The crime was uncovered thanks to the keen observation of Mr. C, a volunteer patrol member in his 50s who was passing by.

Mr. C witnessed Mr. B, whom he knew personally, handing over cash to a stranger.

Suspecting it was a case of voice phishing, Mr. C reported it to Jeon Changwoo, chief of the Uiryeong Police Station's Jungbu Precinct, whom he also knew personally. Chief Jeon, along with other officers, responded to the scene and apprehended Mr. A as he was leaving with the cash.

It was determined that Mr. A collected the cash under the instructions of the main perpetrator of the voice phishing scheme.

The police recovered the 10.6 million won and returned it to the victim, Mr. B, and awarded a crime reporting reward to the volunteer patrol member, Mr. C, who reported the incident.

The police are investigating Mr. A for any additional crimes and are also pursuing the main perpetrator who gave the instructions.