Impersonating Election Campaign Staff and Aides... Surge in "No-Show Scams" Ahead of Presidential Election

"Always Verify Large Orders"

As the 21st presidential election approaches, no-show scams involving impersonation of election campaign staff from specific parties or parliamentary aides are on the rise.

Yonhap News

On May 20, the National Police Agency announced, "We have designated the Phishing Crime Investigation Unit of the Criminal Task Force at the Gangwon Provincial Police Agency, which specializes in phishing investigations, as the lead investigative agency for no-show scams. So far, we have determined that these no-show scams are being carried out by call centers located in Southeast Asia."

No-show scams generally follow a "two-stage deception structure," regardless of how the scammer introduces themselves. In the first stage, the scammer places an order for goods from the victim's business. In the second stage, the scammer asks the victim to purchase goods from another business?goods that the victim's business does not normally handle?claiming that payment for both will be made together later.

For example, if the victim runs a restaurant, the scammer impersonates a member of an election campaign team and makes a group reservation for campaign staff. The scammer then claims that premium wine is needed for the event and asks the victim to place an order with a wine supplier, providing the contact information. When the victim contacts the wine supplier, they receive forged business cards and business registration certificates, and are instructed to transfer payment. Once the victim sends the money for the wine, all contact is cut off.

To prevent no-show scams, it is essential to directly verify any large orders by visiting the actual office. A secondary request to purchase goods not handled by your business on behalf of someone else is a classic sign of a no-show scam, and should be firmly refused.

A police official stated, "No-show scams target small business owners struggling in a difficult economic climate, luring them with large orders and drawing them into crimes using carefully prearranged scenarios with accomplices. Above all, you must remain aware that in non-face-to-face transactions, everything could be fake."