Filtered First by AI... SK Telecom Blocked 1.1 Billion Telecom Fraud Attempts Last Year

Blocking Scale Up 35% Year-on-Year
AI Model Based on Call Pattern Analysis Plays Key Role

Image provided by SKT

SK Telecom announced on January 13 that it proactively blocked approximately 1.1 billion attempts at telecom fraud in 2025, including voice spam, voice phishing calls, and fraudulent text messages. This figure represents a 35% increase from the previous year and is the result of introducing artificial intelligence (AI) technology into spam and phishing response work and operating it systematically.

Last year, SK Telecom introduced a “call pattern analysis-based AI model” that detects and blocks suspicious voice phishing phone numbers before they are reported to relevant authorities. Through this, the company blocked 250 million voice spam and voice phishing calls-a 119% increase from the previous year-and 850 million fraudulent text messages, a 22% increase year-on-year.

In addition, SK Telecom applied its self-developed AI-based financial fraud detection security technology, “ScamVanguard,” to both the “bait message notification service” of SKT PASS spam filtering and the “AI Safe Block” feature of A.Dot Call.

This technology detects voice phishing and spam calls and messages, such as impersonation of financial institutions or acquaintances, and provides warning alerts to users. In particular, A.Dot Call supports an “AI voice phishing detection” function that analyzes risk signs in real time during calls and immediately notifies users through pop-ups and alert tones.

This year, SK Telecom plans to gradually expand the application of AI technology throughout the entire spam and phishing blocking process. The company aims to enhance the safety of its telecommunications services by establishing a one-stop response system that automatically detects, collects, and analyzes malicious apps based on AI, and extends to blocking threats and preventing damage in advance.

Son Youngkyu, Head of Security Governance at SK Telecom, said, “We will continue to strengthen our technical and institutional response capabilities and actively take the lead in eradicating voice phishing and illegal spam in cooperation with the government and relevant organizations.”