FSS Warns of Fake Financial Company Websites and Emails

"Illegal Operator Attempts to Register Email on FSS 'Fine' Portal"

The Financial Supervisory Service announced on September 11 that it has issued a warning regarding online financial fraud involving fake websites and emails impersonating financial companies. This comes as financial scams are occurring on multiple fronts, including a recent case where an illegal operator was caught attempting to register an email address on the financial consumer information portal 'Fine' for fraudulent purposes.

According to the Financial Supervisory Service, an illegal operator impersonated an employee of a financial company and even submitted a forged business registration certificate in order to register a fraudulent email in the “Registered Financial Institutions Inquiry” section of the Fine portal. The Financial Supervisory Service stated, “The illegal attempt was blocked,” but also warned, “Special caution is needed, as there was an attempt to exploit the official website, which is operated to prevent financial consumer damage.”

The perpetrators created a fake website using the name of the financial company (an asset management firm) and lured investors into depositing funds by promising high returns. On YouTube and blogs, they posted numerous videos and articles introducing “How to Invest in US Treasury Bond Funds” to attract investors to the fraudulent site. In reality, one investor believed an advertisement guaranteeing a “1% monthly return,” transferred 30 million won, and only received a small interest payment in the first month before the company disappeared without repaying the principal.

The Financial Supervisory Service explained, “We immediately blocked access to the website with the stolen name, but the perpetrators continue to open new sites by changing the URL.” The agency emphasized, “Financial consumers must exercise particular caution not to access websites similar to the aforementioned site to prevent further damage.”

The Financial Supervisory Service further noted that online financial fraud using fake websites or emails impersonating financial companies is becoming increasingly sophisticated and bold, so investors must be especially vigilant. Conducting financial transactions such as opening an account or transferring funds based solely on information found online carries a risk of investment fraud. Therefore, it is necessary to verify directly through multiple official channels of the financial company (such as phone, email, or official website).

The Financial Supervisory Service stressed, “If a financial company approaches you solely online (via email, YouTube, etc.) and asks you to deposit funds without any in-person or phone consultation, there is a high possibility that they will simply steal your investment and disappear. If you suspect fraud, immediately stop the transaction, confirm with the relevant company by phone, and promptly report it to the police or the Financial Supervisory Service.”