Jeonnam Police Urge Caution as New Messenger Phishing Scams Impersonating Children Increase

Do Not Send Photos of ID Cards or Credit Cards, and Avoid Clicking Unknown URL Links

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kim Chunsu] Recently, there has been an increase in new messenger scams impersonating children, highlighting the need for special caution.

The Jeonnam Police Agency announced on the 1st that the existing messenger phishing method, which involves impersonating children to purchase gift certificates and asking for PIN numbers, has evolved into secondary damage through the installation of remote control apps, requiring heightened vigilance.

The criminals impersonate children, approaching victims by claiming their phones were lost or the screens were damaged, and request photos of identification cards and credit cards for identity verification under the pretext of insurance processing.

They then ask for the account and password to receive insurance payments, induce victims to click on URLs to install remote control apps, and use the stolen personal information and remote control apps to access mobile banking, embezzling funds through account transfers and new loan applications.

In fact, the Jeonnam Police Cyber Crime Investigation Unit has received 8 cases of such new messenger phishing scams (with damages totaling 195 million KRW) since early this year and is currently investigating.

To prevent damage, if someone impersonates your child and asks to purchase gift certificates or requests photos of identification cards or credit cards, always verify by phone and avoid clicking on URLs sent via messenger.

Also, if you fall victim to messenger phishing, promptly report the damage to the police and take the following measures to prevent further harm.

The police recommend the following actions if damage occurs: ▶ Request credit card suspension [call the credit card company] ▶ Request account payment suspension [visit the bank in person or register for accident prevention for exposed personal information at the Financial Supervisory Service’s ‘Fine’ (http://fine.fss.or.kr)] ▶ Check mobile phone subscription status and request new subscription blocking [request via ‘Msafer’ (http://www.msafer.or.kr)] ▶ Check account opening status and transaction history [check via ‘Account Info’ (http://payinfo.or.kr)] ▶ Request blocking of small payments on mobile phone [call the mobile carrier’s customer center or request via carrier app] ▶ Request blocking of small payments on Google account [request via Google homepage] ▶ Apply for reissuance of leaked identification cards, etc. [update issuance date, number, etc.] ▶ Scan and delete remote control programs [use antivirus software] ▶ Apply for credit information inquiry suspension service [request via All Credit (http://www.allcredit.co.kr)].

A representative of the Jeonnam Police Agency stated, “We will do our best to catch criminals through thorough investigations of new messenger phishing and various new cybercrimes that are increasing recently, and minimize damage through preventive education on new crime methods, striving to create a safe cyber environment.”

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