116 Cases Including False Information Spread About 'Shin Jong Corona' and Mask Fraud Under Police Investigation

8 Cases Including Fake News and Personal Information Leakage Caught... 20 Cases Under Investigation
Tracking 96 Fraudsters Including 'Mask Scam Worth About 90 Million Won'
Malicious and Organized Cases Under Arrest and Strict Response

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] The police are investigating over 110 cases related to false and fabricated information, personal data distribution, and 'mask scams' concerning the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia). The police have decided to take strict measures, including arrest and investigation, against malicious and organized incidents exploiting public anxiety.

On the 6th, the National Police Agency announced that it had apprehended 8 cases of false and fabricated information and personal data distribution related to the novel coronavirus online, and is investigating 20 more cases.

As of this day, the confirmed cases reported to the police include 6 cases of false information dissemination and 2 cases of personal data leakage. Two individuals were identified as the sources of leaked documents titled 'Report on Contacts of Confirmed Cases of Novel Coronavirus' prepared by the Seongbuk-gu Public Health Center in Seoul, which were distributed via social networking services (SNS). The police secured the custody of a minor who spread false information claiming that a confirmed case of the novel coronavirus had occurred at a high school in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, by impersonating a terrestrial news broadcast. In Sokcho, Gangwon Province, the initial distributor of false information stating that 'two suspected novel coronavirus patients are hospitalized' in a group chat was booked on charges of obstruction of business. Investigations are ongoing into 20 cases involving smishing text messages disguised as confirmation of confirmed patient information.

Additionally, the police have launched investigations into 96 fraud cases exploiting the mask shortage. In Seoul, a case occurred where a perpetrator deceived victims by claiming to sell 90,000 hygiene masks and embezzled 90 million won. Similar scams amounting to 19.7 million won and 77 million won took place in Chungnam and Incheon, respectively. The National Police Agency has designated the cyber investigation units and intelligent crime investigation units of local police agencies as responsible investigative bodies and is pursuing the fraudsters.

The police plan to maintain a strict response policy, judging that crimes related to the novel coronavirus situation cause public anxiety. Recently, National Police Commissioner Min Gap-ryong instructed frontline police officers, stating, "Producing and distributing false and fabricated information causes public anxiety and social confusion," and ordered, "Conduct continuous monitoring and respond strictly, and firmly investigate mask hoarding and sales fraud exploiting public anxiety."

The National Police Agency is focusing on preventing the spread of fake news by operating a 'Cyber Countermeasure Situation Room,' dispatching investigators to the Central Accident Response Headquarters, and requesting deletion or blocking from the Korea Communications Standards Commission or site operators when false information is found. As of 6 p.m. on the 4th of this month, 160 posts have been addressed. Furthermore, the police will track and apprehend not only the original producers of false information but also intermediate distributors. Arrest and investigation will be considered if malicious and organized acts are revealed.

A National Police Agency official emphasized, "Even acts out of mere curiosity, pranks, or imitation can be subject to legal action, so special caution is requested," and urged, "We hope the public actively report false and fabricated information to the police, Ministry of Health and Welfare, local governments, and related agencies."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.