Gyeonggi Fire Reports 20 Companies Lose 330 Million Won to Fake Orders by Impersonators

The Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters has urged heightened caution, reporting that 20 companies have fallen victim to 'no-show scams' involving fake orders placed by individuals impersonating local fire stations, resulting in losses totaling 330 million won.

According to the Fire and Disaster Headquarters on July 8, there have been a total of 120 attempted no-show scams impersonating fire agencies in the province from April to early July. Of these, 20 companies suffered actual losses, with damages estimated at 330 million won. The names of 14 different fire stations were found to have been misused in these incidents.

The Fire and Disaster Headquarters explained that while the scam methods are simple, they are meticulously planned, which increases confusion.

Generally, the perpetrators impersonate fire officials and request 'urgent purchases,' presenting forged documents, business cards, or IDs that appear authentic to gain trust. They then demand proxy purchases of specific items such as automated external defibrillators, receive advance payments, and subsequently disappear.

Poster Warning About Fake Purchase Requests Posing as Fire Agencies by Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters

In one case, a transportation company was asked to deliver 30 fire extinguishers and, after being told that 'other items were urgently needed,' transferred money to a supplier account provided by the scammer, resulting in financial loss.

In this manner, the scammers emphasized the urgency of the transactions to induce proxy purchases, and most of the victimized companies were found to be small or medium-sized businesses.

The Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters has established a 'no-show scam task force' to handle everything from receiving reports of damages to pursuing legal action. The agency is also conducting prevention campaigns via its website and electronic billboards.

Kim Jaebyung, head of the Gyeonggi-do Fire and Disaster Headquarters, stated, "Scams that exploit the names of public institutions are anti-social crimes that undermine public trust," and emphasized, "Please remember that Gyeonggi Fire will never request proxy purchases under any circumstances."