One Month After Launch, National Investigation Headquarters Launches Major Crackdown on Fraud Crimes Preying on Ordinary Citizens

Focusing 'Responsible Investigation' Capabilities on Voice Phishing and Internet Fraud Targets

The signboard of the National Investigation Headquarters hung at the Seoul Seodaemun-gu Police Agency on the 4th./Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] The National Investigation Headquarters (NIH) of the National Police Agency, which marked its first month since launch, is launching a large-scale crackdown on fraud crimes that undermine the livelihoods of ordinary citizens.

The NIH announced on the 31st that it will conduct a special crackdown on fraud crimes such as telephone financial fraud, insurance fraud, and cyber fraud for five months from June 1 to October 30.

This special crackdown is being promoted to suppress the crime atmosphere in advance through strong enforcement in response to the recent increasing trend of fraud crime damages, and to prevent the economic and psychological harm to ordinary citizens.

In fact, the number of fraud crimes reported last year was 345,005 cases, an increase of 14.2% compared to the previous year. In particular, telephone financial fraud such as voice phishing occurred 31,681 times, recording damages exceeding 700 billion won for the first time. In addition, cyber fraud also surged by 32.7% from the previous year with 194,576 cases last year. This is analyzed to be due to a significant increase in non-face-to-face crimes caused by the spread of COVID-19.

The main targets of the crackdown are ▲telephone financial fraud ▲daily life fraud (insurance fraud, employment fraud, jeonse fraud) ▲cyber fraud (goods transaction fraud, messenger/body-cam phishing, game item fraud, new types of fraud), etc.

First, to respond to telephone financial fraud, the National Police Agency has established the 'Telecommunication Financial Fraud Investigation Situation Room' for the first time, analyzing the status of damage occurrence by region in real time and establishing a system for focused investigation command. The city and provincial police agency’s specialized investigation teams, consisting of 191 members, will track down so-called 'call centers' to arrest ringleaders and apply charges of criminal organization formation. Local police station intelligence teams, economic teams, and violent crime teams will focus on arresting cash collectors and withdrawal agents who are members of the organization.

In the field of daily life fraud, a cooperative system with related organizations will be established for response. Through the 'Insurance Fraud Investigation Council' of city and provincial police agencies, active cooperation with the Financial Supervisory Service, National Health Insurance Service, and others will be pursued, while investigative efforts will be concentrated on organized and habitual crimes involving intermediaries (brokers).

Finally, to respond to cyber fraud, 22 'Cyber Economic Crime Investigation Teams' have been newly established in city and provincial police agencies to exclusively investigate large-scale goods transaction fraud, messenger/body-cam phishing, and other crimes requiring advanced investigative capabilities and long-term investigations. Additionally, in the second half of this year, dedicated teams for comprehensive analysis of investigation information will be newly established in major city and provincial police agencies.

The special crackdown will operate with dedicated teams at the National Police Agency and each city and provincial police agency, focusing investigative power on direct investigation departments of city and provincial police agencies and specialized investigation teams (intelligence, economic, cyber teams, etc.) at police stations.

Moreover, the crime proceeds tracking teams (149 members) of city and provincial police agencies will be deployed throughout the investigation activities to confiscate and preserve criminal proceeds, supporting the actual recovery of victims' damages.

The police plan to encourage active reporting by providing rewards of up to 100 million won for important reports, tips, or assistance in arrests, after reviewing the contribution level and the seriousness of the crime.

A National Police Agency official emphasized, "We will devote all the capabilities of investigative police to eradicate fraud crimes," and urged, "We ask for active reporting and tips regarding damage cases."

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