Similar Crimes Occurring in Pohang, Busan, Taean, and Other Regions
Forged Official Documents Share Identical Recipient and Sender Format
Photo of a forged official document used to impersonate Changwon Coast Guard. Provided by Changwon Coast Guard Station
An attempt to commit fraud and forge official documents by impersonating the Korea Coast Guard has occurred in Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do, prompting the Changwon Maritime Police Station to issue a warning.
According to the Changwon Coast Guard on July 29, on July 26 around noon, the head of a landscaping company in Changwon, identified as Mr. A, visited the police station and inquired, saying, "I received an official document bearing the seal of the Changwon Coast Guard Chief, requesting a landscaping estimate for the police station rooftop."
The Changwon Coast Guard investigation revealed that a man identified as Mr. B, impersonating a Changwon Coast Guard accounting staff member, had requested a landscaping estimate worth approximately 3.2 million won from Mr. A.
Mr. B also recommended purchasing other items such as walkie-talkies, introduced another supplier identified as Mr. C, and instructed Mr. A to transfer approximately 11.7 million won to Mr. C's account.
The authorities confirmed that no request had ever been made for a rooftop landscaping estimate, and the official document in question was a forged document, with the responsible person's name and document format being completely incorrect.
The Coast Guard explained to Mr. A that public institutions do not require advance payments for private contracts or supply transactions.
They also advised Mr. A not to make any payments, as there was suspicion of impersonation fraud, and as a result, Mr. A suffered no financial loss.
Forged official documents used in scams impersonating Pohang Coast Guard (from left), Busan Coast Guard, and Taean Coast Guard. Provided by Pohang Maritime Police Station, Busan Maritime Police Station, and Taean Maritime Police Station.
Similar fraud cases involving impersonation of Coast Guard accounting staff have been occurring nationwide, including in Pohang, Busan, and Taean, as well as Changwon.
The forged official documents that have been identified differ in terms of the Coast Guard office, title, and content, but share the same announcement number, recipient, and sender. In fact, one forged document used in a Taean Coast Guard impersonation scam bore a seal imitating that of the Pohang Coast Guard Chief.
A Changwon Coast Guard official stated, "Recently, there has been an increase in fraud crimes involving impersonation of public institutions, including the Coast Guard," and added, "If you receive related phone calls or text messages, please report them to 112 or the Maritime Police Station."
The official also emphasized, "The police or public institutions never induce advance payments from private companies under any circumstances."
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