Park Junghyun Stresses the Need for Responsible Prevention and Supervision by Financial Authorities
Over the past three years (from 2023 to June 2025), the total amount lost to voice phishing scams at Saemaeul Geumgo reached 58.5 billion won, with 3,008 cases reported, and both the amount and number of incidents have been rising each year.
This was revealed in data titled "Number of Voice Phishing Cases and Amounts at Saemaeul Geumgo," which Park Junghyun, Member of the National Assembly (Daedeok District, Daejeon; National Assembly Public Administration and Security Committee) from the Democratic Party of Korea, received from the Financial Supervisory Service.
The scale of damage from voice phishing crimes has increased significantly in recent years, with the total losses from voice phishing exceeding 4 trillion won over the past five years, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.
A closer look at the recently confirmed "Current Status of Voice Phishing Damage at Saemaeul Geumgo" shows that, over the past three years, the losses amounted to 11.9 billion won in 2023, 27 billion won in 2024, and 19.6 billion won as of June 2025, showing a continuous upward trend. The number of cases also rose sharply, from 980 in 2023, to 1,135 in 2024, and 893 as of June 2025.
Notably, this year, even though only the first half (up to June) has been counted, the losses have already surpassed the total amount lost in 2023 (11.9 billion won).
The number of cases in the first half alone reached 893, and if the current trend continues, the total number of cases by the end of the year is expected to exceed last year’s figure of 1,135.
According to Saemaeul Geumgo’s own data, over the past three years, the branches with the largest losses were Jeonpo 1-dong Branch of the Busan Branch (about 1.5 billion won), Dongdaemun Eastern Branch of the Seoul Branch (about 1.2 billion won), and Junghung Branch of the Gwangju and Jeonnam Branch (about 1 billion won).
In terms of the number of cases, the Tandong Branch of the Daejeon, Sejong, and Chungnam Branch (36 cases), the Yuseong Branch of the Daejeon, Sejong, and Chungnam Branch (31 cases), and the Dongdaemun Eastern Branch of the Seoul Branch (29 cases) recorded the highest figures.
Park Junghyun emphasized, "Recently, the scale of losses from rampant voice phishing crimes has reached hundreds of billions of won each year," adding, "Since the majority of victims are financially vulnerable groups in their 20s and those over 60, mutual financial institutions like Saemaeul Geumgo, which support ordinary citizens, must take the lead in establishing proactive preventive measures to eradicate voice phishing crimes."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
