Yeosu City Intensifies Crackdown on Illegal Distribution of 'Sarang Gift Certificates'

Until the 20th of next month, a fine of 20 million won and administrative sanctions will be imposed for fraudulent receipt and payment refusal detection

Yeosu City, Jeollanam-do (Mayor Jeong Gi-myeong) announced on the 18th that it will conduct a five-week intensive crackdown on the fraudulent distribution of Yeosu Love Gift Certificates targeting affiliated stores and delegated financial institutions until the 20th of next month.

The crackdown will be carried out by collecting and pre-analyzing abnormal transaction data derived from the integrated management system of the Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation, the gift certificate operation agency, along with reports from citizens suspected of illegal transactions, followed by on-site inspections.

Paper-type Yeosu Sarang Gift Certificate. Provided by Yeosu City

The targets of the crackdown include ▲ fraudulent receipt and illegal exchange ▲ restricted business types ▲ refusal of payment ▲ discriminatory treatment compared to cash, with a particular focus on paper-type gift certificates detected during last year's distribution status inspection.

If fraudulent distribution activities are detected, fines of up to 20 million KRW will be imposed depending on the severity of the violation, along with administrative and financial measures such as cancellation of store affiliation and recovery of unfair profits. In cases of serious violations, the police will be requested to investigate and strictly punish offenders.

A city official stated, “We will do our best to establish a sound order in gift certificate transactions,” and added, “We ask for the active cooperation of citizens and small business owners to prevent fraudulent distribution.”