"Testing Positive for COVID-19..." Increasing Threats and Feigning Illness

Demanding money after restaurant visit... 10,000 smishing texts impersonating information agencies
Causing trouble then faking illness... "Crimes exploiting fear are rising, harsher penalties needed"

Photo by Oh Seong-su

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] Crimes exploiting the fear of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) are on the rise. Taking advantage of the phenomenon where local businesses collapse when confirmed cases appear, there have been cases of threats demanding money from store owners, as well as instances where individuals feigned illness by claiming to be 'COVID-19 positive' while under police investigation.

On the 18th, the Mapo Police Station in Seoul is tracking an unidentified individual, A, who is suspected of extortion by calling restaurants in the Seodaemun-gu and Mapo-gu areas, claiming to be COVID-19 positive and having visited the restaurant, and demanding money in exchange for not disclosing this information. A reportedly threatened restaurant owners by saying, "Wouldn't the damage be greater if the store had to close?" A Mapo Police Station official stated, "Crimes exploiting social anxiety caused by the spread of COVID-19 are increasing," and added, "We urge people not to comply with such threats or demands for money and to report them to the police promptly."

Attempts at voice phishing and smishing exploiting public anxiety are also increasing. According to the Ministry of Science and ICT, as of the 15th, the cumulative number of smishing messages disguised as COVID-19 information, such as free mask distribution and delivery delays due to COVID-19, reached 9,688 cases. There were also 165 cases reported as of the 15th where phone number spoofing was attempted to impersonate health authorities or medical institutions related to COVID-19. Besides smishing via text messages, there have been cases where callers impersonated health authorities and requested the installation of quarantine-related applications. Installing such apps can lead to various damages, including personal information leakage.

Those feigning 'COVID-19 illness' are also causing frustration. According to the police, on the 17th, a man in his early 40s, A, was arrested on the spot for assaulting an employee who tried to stop him after causing a disturbance while drinking at a club in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. During the investigation, A suddenly claimed, "I recently traveled abroad and contracted COVID-19." However, the paramedics who responded measured his temperature, which was normal. It was also confirmed that he had no history of foreign travel. The police are considering whether to apply charges of obstruction of official duties against A. On the 2nd, a man in his 20s who was arrested for causing a disturbance at a restaurant in Mapo-gu, Seoul, also falsely claimed to be infected with COVID-19.

Professor Kwak Geum-ju of the Department of Psychology at Seoul National University said, "Anxiety impairs rational judgment, increasing the risk of falling victim to crimes such as threats and voice phishing that one would normally not respond to," and added, "In a situation where many suffer due to the spread of infectious diseases, enhanced punishment is necessary for crimes that disrupt social order."

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