Police Conduct Second Special Crackdown on Four Major Fraud Tools Including Burner Phones and Fake Bank Accounts in Telephone Financial Scams

Crackdown on Phishing Texts and Malicious App Distribution Over 2 Months from August to October

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The police will once again conduct a special crackdown on major means of telecommunication financial fraud such as Daepo-phones and Daepo-accounts.

The National Investigation Headquarters of the National Police Agency announced on the 16th that from the 18th, a second special crackdown will be carried out for two months on the so-called 'four major means of crime': Daepo-phones, Daepo-accounts, illegal relay devices, and illegal currency exchange.

Earlier, through the special crackdown in the first half of the year from April to June, the police uncovered illegal currency exchange amounting to 31.2 billion won and arrested 3,359 people. The police reported that the crackdown on the four major means of crime has had a significant effect in preventing damage, as the number of telecommunication financial fraud cases has shifted to a decreasing trend, and thus decided to carry out a special crackdown in the second half of the year.

In addition, the police plan to focus on cracking down on bait text messages and the distribution of malicious apps, which have recently been used as means to lure and deceive victims, such as loan fraud and impersonation of institutions, along with illegal relay devices. A police official stated, "Since telecommunication financial fraud crimes become difficult to commit if even one of the four major means of crime is cracked down on, we expect to prevent additional criminal damage and simultaneously secure clues to trace the criminal organizations."

The police will conduct the crackdown centered on specialized investigative personnel such as the Financial Crime Investigation Unit and the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crime Investigation Unit of the Metropolitan Police Agency, as well as intelligence teams at police stations. For large-scale and organized crimes, legal provisions that impose the maximum statutory penalties, such as the crime of organizing a criminal group under the Criminal Act, will be actively applied. For assets confirmed as criminal proceeds, pre-indictment seizure and confiscation will be actively requested to recover and reclaim property damage.

A police official urged special caution, saying, "Cash collection acts disguised as high-income part-time jobs or urgent loans, opening or registering Daepo-phones and Daepo-accounts, lending names, and installing illegal relay devices are crimes that can lead not only to criminal punishment but also to civil liability for damages."

He added, "A reward of up to 100 million won can be paid for reporting illegal activities," and urged, "Please report immediately to the nearest police station if you witness illegal acts or accidentally become involved."

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