"Will You Become the Star of 'That Voice'? Police Issue Voice Phishing Alert"

The National Office of Investigation at the Korean National Police Agency has urged the public to exercise particular caution, noting that voice phishing crimes are on the rise this year.

Police Agency building. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

According to the police on April 27, the number of voice phishing cases reported from January to March this year reached 5,878, representing a 17% increase compared to the same period last year. The total amount of damages and the average loss per case also rose by 120% and 188%, respectively, amounting to 311.6 billion won and 53.01 million won per case.

Attempts by criminal organizations to commit phishing crimes continue to increase, and the proportion of institution-impersonation crimes?based on sophisticated scenarios and causing larger financial losses?has grown. It was also found that there has been an increase in victims aged 50 and above who possess significant assets and are more vulnerable to malicious applications.

Police investigations revealed that the malicious apps used by voice phishing organizations were able to access and monitor victims' names, phone numbers, mobile device models, telecommunications providers, recorded call content, remote control functions, and victims' real-time location information.

These organizations compiled a list of about 80 phone numbers actually used by the Financial Supervisory Service, the prosecution, and the police. They then used functions that would either redirect any calls made by victims to one number controlled by the criminal group, regardless of which official number was dialed, or manipulate outgoing calls from the group so that the victim's phone would display the official agency's main number.

To curb voice phishing damages, the National Police Agency is continuing on-site intervention activities for those suspected of installing malicious apps. The agency also plans to produce various voice phishing prevention campaigns and educational materials tailored by age group and region, as well as expand the distribution of its voice phishing prevention web magazine.

A National Police Agency official stated, "As voice phishing crimes become increasingly organized and sophisticated, it is difficult to fully recover victims' losses through post-crime crackdowns alone," and added, "We urge the public to remain vigilant, stay informed about the latest phishing methods and prevention strategies, and take special care to avoid falling victim."