Jeonnam Police Urge Caution Against Year-End Overseas Online Shopping Scams

Beware of Overseas Direct Purchase Scams Related to Global Shopping Events Like Black Friday

Jeonnam Provincial Police Agency building exterior

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] The Cyber Crime Investigation Unit of the Jeonnam Provincial Police Agency announced on the 2nd that, amid the nationwide online shopping transaction amount exceeding 40 trillion won in the third quarter of this year due to the impact of COVID-19, marking an all-time high, the number of internet fraud cases in Jeonnam Province until November this year has also increased by more than 50% compared to the same period last year.

In particular, with a significant increase in online direct purchases, meaning 'haeoe jikgu' (overseas direct purchase), concerns about internet fraud using 'haeoe jikgu' have arisen as the year-end approaches, when global shopping events such as 'Black Friday' are concentrated. They urged caution to avoid becoming victims.

Fraud using 'haeoe jikgu' often occurs through fake overseas shopping malls and overseas purchasing agency services. To avoid fraud baited by limited sales or special discount sales, it is necessary to carefully check seller information, purchase reviews, and product evaluations.

Also, due to hacking emails disguised as overseas shopping malls, personal information leakage, phishing, or fraud can occur. Therefore, never click on links included in emails; instead, search for the site or enter the URL directly to access it, and ensure that personal or financial information is not exposed.

A police official recommended, "When using overseas shopping mall sites or trading secondhand goods between individuals online, check in advance whether the shopping mall address, the other party's account number, or phone number has been used in fraud cases on the 'CyberCop' app produced by the National Police Agency Cyber Safety Bureau or on websites providing information related to internet fraud."

He added, "If fraud is suspected after purchase, use the card company's 'chargeback' service, and in case of disputes related to electronic commerce, you can seek help from the Consumer Counseling Center of the Fair Trade Commission. The police will track down and arrest crimes using overseas sites to the end and will do their best to block site access and restore damages."

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