"Hadahada Disaster Relief Fund Scam?" Citizens 'Fuming' Over Surge in Smishing Attacks

Smishing Crimes Related to Disaster Relief Funds Surge
Text Messages Urge Input of Account Numbers and Passwords
Citizens Angry: "Crimes Exploiting Emergencies... Strong Punishment Needed"
Experts: "Definite Recovery of Criminal Profits Required"

As the government is promoting the distribution of disaster relief funds, cases of smishing exploiting this are increasing.
Photo by Yonhap News

Emergency Disaster Relief Fund Phishing Smishing Text for COVID-19 / Photo by Seoul City Provided

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] Cases of smishing crimes exploiting the COVID-19 disaster relief fund payments are on the rise. Citizens are facing economic difficulties due to the aftermath of COVID-19 in Gyeonggi Province and are calling for strict punishment, labeling these acts as malicious crimes.

Smishing is a combination of SMS (Short Message Service) and phishing, referring to a fraudulent method where a large number of text messages containing malicious app links are sent to mobile phones, inducing users to install malicious apps that steal financial and personal information.

According to recent data from Seoul City, from the 1st to the 13th of this month, about 130 suspected smishing messages related to the "COVID-19 Emergency Disaster Relief" were reported to the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA).

The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), the Financial Services Commission, and the National Police Agency warned in February that voice phishing and smishing crimes related to COVID-19 were increasing and urged caution.

According to MSIT’s investigation, 9,886 smishing detection cases were recorded from February to March. Additionally, 165 cases were reported where phone numbers were manipulated to impersonate health authorities or medical institutions related to COVID-19.

The smishing method involves using text messages to induce recipients to enter account numbers and passwords. Recently, as the government and local governments began distributing emergency disaster relief funds, some messages claimed that related gift certificates had arrived and encouraged clicking on attached internet URLs.

The URLs included in smishing text messages lead to the installation of malicious apps that interfere with easy deletion. On smartphones with these malicious apps installed, contacts and text messages are leaked and sent to Chinese webmail addresses.

One netizen posted on an online community, saying, "I received a warning message to be cautious of smishing related to emergency disaster relief gift certificates," adding, "The scam messages related to disaster relief funds are becoming increasingly sophisticated."

Smishing is a crime targeting ordinary citizens, and its methods are malicious and repetitive, making the crime particularly heinous. Especially since it is digital-based, tracking suspects is difficult. Cybercriminals involved in smishing and voice phishing easily select their targets through texts, calls, and emails, and continue to evolve as they profit.

As a result, citizens are raising their voices in anger against smishing crimes that exploit the national emergency of COVID-19.
Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, the ruling party and government are currently considering nationwide distribution of emergency disaster relief funds, and if the payment target expands, crimes are expected to become more rampant since the target could extend to the entire population.

As a result, citizens are voicing anger over smishing crimes exploiting the national emergency situation caused by COVID-19. Office worker A (27) said that they received a smishing message related to disaster relief funds, stating, "It seems designed to easily deceive people. I almost clicked it myself. Just in case, I informed my family and people around me."

They continued, "Now they are even trying to scam the support money given during these difficult times," expressing frustration, "Everyone is struggling and receiving support funds, but they are trying to steal it."

Office worker B in their 20s also said, "There seem to be many bad people in the world. Ultimately, they are stealing money from those in need," and added, "I think strong punishment is necessary, including applying a zero-tolerance policy."

An expert pointed out that the reason smishing is becoming more sophisticated is because criminal proceeds have not been fully recovered. Professor Bae Sanghoon of the Department of Police Science at Seoul Digital University appeared on YTN Radio's 'Capital Region Today' and said, "The reason crimes like messenger phishing and voice phishing continue to become more sophisticated is that criminal groups’ proceeds have not been fully recovered," adding, "The government needs to implement measures to fully recover criminal proceeds and actively promote public awareness campaigns."

Meanwhile, the Korea Internet & Security Agency’s Illegal Spam Response Center provides guidance on how to deal with COVID-19-related spoofing spam messages on its official website. According to the website, general user precautions include △ subscribing to free spam blocking services provided by mobile carriers △ actively using the spam blocking functions on devices △ not consenting to unnecessary telemarketing calls and thoroughly managing to prevent phone number exposure or leakage △ not responding to suspected spam and avoiding purchasing products or services through spam △ reporting illegal spam via the phone’s simple reporting function or by calling the e-call center ☎118.

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