Police Intensify Crackdown on Overseas Voice Phishing Rings... 'Special Reporting and Voluntary Surrender Period' Operates Until October

Targeting Five Major Countries Including China
Exemptions for Voluntary Surrender, Rewards for Reporters

Police Agency building. [Photo by Police Agency]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] The National Police Agency announced on the 23rd that it will operate a 'Special Overseas Reporting and Voluntary Surrender Period for Telephone Financial Fraud' to apprehend and repatriate key members of voice phishing organizations residing abroad.

The period will last for two months, from the 25th of this month until the end of October, targeting five major countries where Korean Desks are dispatched: China, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Reports, tips, and voluntary surrenders will be handled at the Korean Desks, and swift apprehension and repatriation support will be provided domestically as well.

The police plan to offer a maximum reward of 100 million KRW for the capture of organization members through reports from overseas Koreans or locals, and will support voluntary surrenderers with leniency measures and passport reissuance to facilitate their return.

Earlier, from April to June, the police conducted the 'Special Voluntary Surrender and Reporting Period for Telecommunication Financial Fraud' for the first time, resulting in the arrest of 148 individuals. In particular, 75 voluntary surrenderers were investigated without detention and encouraged to surrender by applying discretionary leniency regulations. Based on this, the police also succeeded in tracking and arresting higher-level members of the organizations.

A police official explained, "We will distribute promotional pamphlets to embassies and Korean associations in the five countries, and post promotional materials on embassy websites and the National Police Agency's social media channels (SNS). If arrests are made locally, we will support domestic investigative agencies with prompt repatriation and evidence collection."

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