Brazen 'Voice Phishing' Gang Members... Meeting in Person to Collect Money and Hand Over Fake Documents

Busan Seobu Police Station Arrests Man in His 30s for Embezzling 500 Million Won by Impersonating Financial Institution

Busan Seobu Police Station.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] A member of a voice phishing organization who impersonated a financial institution, issued fake loan repayment confirmation letters, and embezzled 500 million KRW has been arrested by the police.

On the 24th, the Western Busan Police Station announced that they had arrested A (30), a cash withdrawal agent, on charges of impersonating a financial institution and embezzling a large sum of money.

According to the police, A is accused of receiving and pocketing 502.7 million KRW from 10 victims in 22 transactions between the 27th of last month and the 17th of this month.

During this period, A traveled nationwide to Busan, Seoul, Daejeon, and other locations, meeting victims deceived by the voice phishing organization, receiving cash, and handing over fake official documents.

The voice (messenger) phishing organization to which A belonged sent random text messages claiming to offer refinancing loans at low interest rates, targeting those who replied.

First, they sent victims fake bank loan officer business cards via SNS messenger and a link to install ‘TeamViewer,’ claiming it was an app necessary for the loan.

The moment victims installed this app, all their personal information was transferred to the voice phishing organization, and even if they later contacted the bank headquarters, they were connected to the criminal organization's phone.

The ‘phishing organization’ told victims, “You must repay existing loans to qualify for low-interest loans,” and demanded that they meet with A, referred to as the ‘loan planner (cash collector),’ to hand over the existing loan funds.

Victims borrowed money again from financial institutions and acquaintances to prepare the existing loan funds, and it was revealed that some victims had taken out loans exceeding 100 million KRW.

A met victims in person, delivered fake loan repayment confirmation letters to reassure them, then deducted 2-3% of the embezzled money as his share and immediately deposited the rest to the mastermind.

A contacted this organization after seeing an advertisement for ‘high-paying part-time jobs,’ and all instructions for the crimes were given via Telegram, which strongly enforces secrecy.

The police urged citizens to be cautious to avoid damage, noting that recent voice phishing methods have shifted to face-to-face extortion.

A police official said, “Most victims are in their 50s and 60s, suffering from poor credit or financial hardship, and were deceived while trying to save even a small amount on interest,” adding, “Never install unverified apps.”

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