11 Arrested for Voice Phishing Scam Posing as Prosecutors, Swindling 300 Million Won

Sent a text message impersonating a credit card company and the Financial Supervisory Service to lure the victim
Joined the crime after seeing a part-time job ad on social media... Woman in her 60s arrested

Gwangju Bukbu Police Station announced on the 8th that they had arrested a woman in her 60s, identified as Ms. A, on charges of collecting and laundering funds for a voice phishing organization (violation of the Act on the Prevention of Damage from Telecommunications-Based Financial Fraud), and referred 10 accomplices without detention.

They are accused of impersonating credit card companies and the Financial Supervisory Service on December 3rd last year, deceiving the victim, Ms. B, by claiming her identity had been stolen and was involved in a prosecution investigation, and stealing a total of 335 million won in cash and checks in four separate instances.

The voice phishing organization sent Ms. B a text message stating that a credit card she had not applied for had been issued, then lured her into calling a call center number to carry out the scam. Afterwards, Ms. A and others either collected money directly from the victim or laundered the funds via bank transfers, according to the investigation.

Among the 11 people apprehended, many said they joined the scheme after seeing high-paying part-time job ads on social media, and a significant number claimed they were unaware it was a voice phishing crime. In contrast, the police believe Ms. A knowingly participated in the crime and applied for an arrest warrant citing concerns over destruction of evidence.

A police official stated, "Recently, methods impersonating credit card companies or card delivery personnel are increasing," and urged, "If you receive any suspicious contact, always verify directly with the financial institution."