If Someone Identifies Themselves Through Unofficial Channels,
Verify Their Identity Using the Official Website
"I even checked the business card..."
Mr. A, who runs a business in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, recently received a request from Mr. B, who impersonated a city hall official, saying, "We are planning to purchase certain goods, so please prepare them." Mr. A even received a business card with detailed personal information and prepared the items for delivery.
However, as the delivery date approached, Mr. B said, "Due to internal circumstances, it has become difficult to make the payment in the usual way." He deceived Mr. A by saying, "If you transfer the payment to another account as if you are paying for other goods for the city hall, I will immediately deposit the payment," and induced Mr. A to transfer the money to the specified account.
This is a recent case of scam involving impersonation of a public official that occurred in Hwaseong. The Hwaseong city government has urged citizens to exercise special caution, as cases of financial damage caused by impersonators of public officials have been occurring one after another.
The city has determined that this incident is similar to the public official impersonation scams that have been occurring frequently nationwide recently, and plans to request an investigation from the relevant authorities.
In particular, the city emphasized that if someone claims to be a public official in an abnormal manner, citizens must verify the facts through the official contact information posted on the city hall website, and immediately report to 112 or other authorities if they suspect any damage.
An official from Hwaseong city said, "The methods of crimes involving impersonation of public officials are becoming increasingly sophisticated," and added, "If you receive a contact from someone whose affiliation or identity is unclear, please make sure to verify the facts."
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