Gumi Police Station Leads Efforts to Prevent No-Show Scam Crimes

Producing Promotional Videos to Prevent Crime
Impersonating Public Officials and Companies in Various Ways
Firmly Refuse Requests for Proxy Purchases
Always Verify Directly Through Official Channels

The Gumi Police Station in North Gyeongsang Province announced on December 30 that it is intensifying its efforts to prevent no-show scams targeting small business owners and self-employed individuals nationwide, including producing its own promotional video.

9 Seats) No-Show Prevention Promotional Video (Right) No-Show Prevention QR Code / Photo by Lee Ihwan

No-show scams cause significant harm to local self-employed people by pretending to request proxy purchases of goods, using various scenarios involving public institutions, military units, political parties, and companies.

Self-employed individuals are often targeted because they welcome large orders and are in a weaker position than the customer.

According to the Gumi Police Station, as of the end of December, around 100 cases of scams impersonating not only public institutions and military units but also maintenance companies, large supermarkets, and distribution firms have been reported, with total damages reaching approximately 2 billion won.

All of these cases share a common feature: the initial contact was made from a mobile phone number starting with 010, rather than a local area code.

To prevent such scams, the police advise: ▲ For suspicious large orders, always call the official representative number of the institution to verify; ▲ Confirm the authenticity of any official documents, business cards, or business registration certificates received via text message or other means; ▲ Firmly refuse any requests for proxy purchases of items you do not handle.

Kim Juhwan, Chief of Investigation Division 1 at the Gumi Police Station, stated, "Public institutions will never ask for proxy purchases of goods or send business cards or official documents via text message. If you suspect a no-show scam, report it immediately to 112."