62 Cases Reported in the Province, Active Investigations and Preventive Measures Strengthened to Prevent Further Damage
The Gyeongbuk Police Agency has issued a warning to citizens, noting that a series of so-called "no-show" (No Show·reservation default) scams have recently occurred in the Gyeongbuk region. In these cases, scammers impersonate military unit or prison officials to place large orders and then disappear, or build trust before inducing proxy purchases of other items and embezzling the funds.
Gyeongbuk Police Agency logo.
According to the Gyeongbuk Police Agency, since April of last year, 62 similar cases have been reported in the province and are currently under investigation. In these incidents, scammers mainly pose as military officers or prison staff, place group orders, and then induce victims to make proxy purchases, resulting in financial losses.
One major case handled by the Gyeongju Police Station occurred on April 12, when a scammer impersonating a lieutenant from the logistics department of the Jinhae Base Command ordered 90 lunchboxes (worth about 1.8 million won). Claiming to be busy due to training, the scammer requested a proxy purchase of combat rations, presented a forged "unit event supplies purchase confirmation letter" bearing a military unit seal, along with the business registration certificate of a combat ration supplier, received a transfer of 10.8 million won, and then disappeared.
On the same day, the Gumi Police Station reported that a scammer impersonating section chief Kwon from Gimcheon Juvenile Prison ordered 50 kitchen dish containers, then requested a proxy purchase of 40 bulletproof vests for prison staff, received a transfer of 8 million won, and vanished.
On March 10, the Pohang Police Station reported that a scammer impersonating a medical staff member from Pohang Prison ordered three automated external defibrillators, then requested a proxy purchase of 160 bulletproof vests, received a transfer of 100.5 million won, and disappeared.
An official from the Gyeongbuk Police Agency stated, "Be cautious of group orders that require advance payment or deposits, always verify directly through the official contact information of the relevant unit or agency, and suspect new types of scams if proxy purchases are requested."
Oh Bumyeong, Commissioner of the Gyeongbuk Police Agency, emphasized, "Given the current economic difficulties, the psychological distress suffered by small business owners may be even greater than the financial losses. We will do our utmost to apprehend the perpetrators quickly through proactive investigations and strengthen preventive measures to stop further damage."
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