"Undercover Investigation"... Warning for Voice Phishing Impersonating Prosecutors and Financial Supervisory Service

Targeting Seniors Aged 60 and Over
172% Increase in Cases with Damages Over 100 Million Won

The National Police Agency's National Investigation Headquarters warned that impersonation scams pretending to be government agencies such as the Prosecutor's Office and the Financial Supervisory Service are rampant, urging special caution among the elderly aged 60 and above.

According to the National Police Agency on the 23rd, the average damage per case of agency impersonation voice phishing from January to September this year was 44.26 million won. The number of cases with damages exceeding 100 million won increased by 172% compared to the previous year.

Agency impersonation scams differ slightly in their initial approach methods such as phone calls, mail, or text messages, but they all deceive victims by pretending to be government agencies like the Prosecutor's Office, Police, or Financial Supervisory Service, pressuring them by saying, "You are involved in a crime, so to prove your innocence, cooperate with asset inspection."

Malicious applications (apps) installed on mobile phones connect all communications to criminal organization members, isolating the victim from society. The criminal organizations hijack the camera, recording, and location tracking system (GPS) functions to monitor every move of the victim.

A National Police Agency official said, "Typical methods like agency impersonation scams can be prevented if you familiarize yourself with the crime scenarios or at least some key keywords," adding, "Taking a moment to learn about the crime methods and prevention through scenarios and prevention videos released by the National Police Agency, and sharing them with family and acquaintances, can protect the precious assets accumulated over a lifetime."