Suspicious Items in Motel Rooftop Jars... Secretly Installed 'Phone Number Spoofers'

Voice Phishing 'Telephone Number Spoofing Device' Smuggling and Usage Gang Arrested

Phone number changer hidden inside a jar on the building rooftop, used for voice phishing crimes. [Image source=Busan Police Agency]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] A group of 18 people involved in voice phishing crimes by smuggling in and using number spoofers that manipulate phone numbers from overseas to appear as domestic mobile numbers starting with '010' have been arrested by the police.

The group secretly installed more than 40 of these spoofers in various places such as motels, boiler rooms, building rooftops, jars, and car trunks.

On the 4th, the Busan Metropolitan Police Agency's Violent Crime Investigation Unit announced that they had arrested eight people in their 20s, including Mr. A, on charges including violation of the Telecommunications Business Act, and booked 10 others without detention.

According to the police, the group conspired with a Chinese voice phishing organization to secretly bring in 62 number spoofers through Incheon Port and other locations, then cooperated with domestic voice phishing organizations.

They are accused of manipulating the internet phone numbers of the voice phishing organization to domestic mobile phone numbers starting with 010, causing approximately 500 million KRW in damages to about 30 voice phishing victims.

They illegally installed and operated the spoofers in 46 locations nationwide, including Seoul, Busan, Gyeonggi Province, Gyeongnam, and Gyeongbuk.

The spoofers could be installed anywhere as long as there was a power outlet, making them easily used for crimes.

The police stated, "Knowing that people tend not to answer calls from unfamiliar numbers to avoid voice phishing, it appears they used phone number spoofers."

They operated the spoofers unmanned or carried them in vehicles to illegally change phone numbers, receiving up to about 4 million KRW per person per month as payment from the voice phishing organizations, according to investigations.

A representative from the Busan Metropolitan Police Agency said, "Now, calls sent from domestic numbers should also be suspected of voice phishing," and urged, "If you see suspicious objects like relay devices on building rooftops, please report them to the police immediately."

Voice phishing phone number manipulators seized.
[Image source=Busan Police Agency]

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