Torn Check Worth '127 Million Won' Thrown in Trash Can... What Happened?

Voice Phishing Cash Collector Booked by Police
Tore Up Check After Payment Was Stopped

A voice phishing cash collector who received a check worth 127 million won by impersonating an investigative agency was caught by the police after throwing the stopped check into the trash.

The Gangneung Police Station in Gangwon announced that on the 27th of last month, they booked a man in his 60s, Mr. A, on charges of attempting to extort a large sum of money from a victim of telephone financial fraud (voice phishing) (violation of the Special Act on the Prevention of Damage from Telecommunications Financial Fraud and Refund of Damaged Funds). Mr. A is accused of impersonating the Financial Supervisory Service and a prosecutor to receive a check worth 127 million won from victim Mr. B in downtown Gangneung on the 18th of last month.

Upon receiving the report, the police immediately stopped the payment on the check. Based on nearby closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage and other evidence, the police identified Mr. A as a prime suspect and began tracking him. After discovering that Mr. A fled to Seoul by train, the police found torn checks in the trash bin at Mr. A’s residence in Seoul. The checks were confirmed to be the ones Mr. A received from Mr. B.

Mr. A appeared at the Gangneung Police Station on the 24th after receiving a summons from the police and admitted to the charges. It was determined that under the instructions of the voice phishing organization members, who learned that the checks had been stopped, he tore up and destroyed the checks.

If the police had not secured the torn checks at Mr. A’s residence, despite the swift arrest, Mr. B’s damages could have worsened. This is because checks can only be reissued after 10 years except in cases of loss or theft. Mr. B reportedly said, "Thanks to the Gangneung Police Station’s voice phishing team for their swift arrest, I was able to recover my precious assets prepared as retirement funds."

The police plan to investigate any additional crimes by Mr. A before deciding whether to transfer the case. Chief Lee Gil-woo stated, "Neither investigative agencies nor financial institutions ever collect cash directly from victims under any circumstances," and urged, "If you receive similar calls, please seek help from the police."