Gwangju Police 'Intensive Crackdown on Voice Phishing' Arrest 259 People in 2 Months

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] The Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency (Chief Choi Gwanho) announced on the 11th that after launching a task force (TF) team to respond to telephone financial fraud on April 6, they conducted intensive crackdowns on voice phishing over two months, resulting in the arrest of 259 people in 184 cases, including 23 suspects involved in recruiting bankbook fraud accounts.

Compared to the two months before the TF was launched, when 145 people were arrested (9 detained), the number of arrests increased by 78%, and detentions increased by 155%.

During this period, the Gwangju police produced new promotional videos, flyers (50,000 copies), and posters (1,500 copies) reflecting crime methods and victim analysis, distributing them around citizens' daily environments to ensure that any Gwangju citizen could access the promotional materials, thereby conducting multifaceted crime prevention publicity activities.

Promotional videos were displayed at government offices such as city hall (22 institutions), subway stations (20 locations), large city billboards (2), apartment elevator monitors (32,000 households), and inside bank lobbies (305 locations). Additionally, on-foot promotional activities were conducted by visiting residences such as apartments, one-room units, and commercial buildings directly.

Especially on days with many voice phishing reports, advance warnings were issued, and local police and detectives maintained immediate deployment readiness around banks as bases, focusing on preventive activities.

As a result of these promotional efforts, 64 cases amounting to 1.5 billion KRW were prevented, a 137% increase compared to 27 cases prevented during the same period last year.

However, despite the police's intensive crackdowns, voice phishing damages continued, with a total of 314 cases and 5.79 billion KRW in damages confirmed this year.

Loan fraud accounted for 273 cases (87%), with male victims numbering 161 (59%) and those in their 40s and 50s totaling 175 (53%). Impersonation of institutions accounted for 41 cases (13%), with female victims numbering 28 (68%) and those in their 20s totaling 22 (53%).

Contrary to the public perception that voice phishing victims are mainly elderly, it was confirmed that the main victims are concentrated in their 20s to 50s.

A representative from the Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency stated, “Recruiters are often lured by simple, high-paying part-time job advertisements (such as hiring debt collection company staff), meet victims to collect money, and deliver it to criminal organizations. Even if they later realize it is a voice phishing crime, they cannot resist the temptation of high rewards and continue participating, eventually facing criminal trials and usually receiving prison sentences of 1 to 3 years. Therefore, special caution is necessary.” He added, “Since the places where victims are deceived into withdrawing cash are ultimately banks, the role of bank counters is crucial. We ask for careful attention to customers requesting large withdrawals and to diagnose potential damage through the final guidance documents distributed by the police. If suspicious, please report immediately.”

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