144 Illegal Phone Number Alteration Devices Installed in Motels Nationwide... 14 Voice Phishing Gang Members Arrested

Connected with Chinese organization, embezzled 1.7 billion KRW
5 arrested... 2 also charged with methamphetamine use

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] A group involved in voice phishing by installing illegal modified relay devices that change overseas international call numbers to '010' mobile phone numbers has been caught by the police.

On the 19th, the Gangbuk Police Station in Seoul announced that they arrested 14 people on charges including fraud and violation of the Telecommunications Business Act, and detained 5 of them.

According to the police, from June to August this year, the suspects installed modified relay devices in motel rooms nationwide and helped a telephone financial fraud organization in China, embezzling 1.7 billion KRW from 55 victims.

In August, after receiving a tip from a motel owner that "many mobile phones were installed in motel rooms," the police seized 48 mobile phones used for caller ID manipulation at the scene and arrested suspect A, who installed them.

Subsequently, through suspect investigations and analysis of seized items, the police identified accomplices who received money from the Chinese organization to distribute or install and operate modified relay devices and USIM cards, or who withdrew and sent the embezzled funds deposited into fake bank accounts by victims, and arrested the group scattered across Jeju, Busan, Daejeon, and other areas.

Police investigations revealed that the suspects rented one-room motels, goshiwons, officetels, etc., under other people's names nationwide, installed 144 illegal relay devices and mobile phones for caller ID manipulation, and evaded investigation by moving locations monthly. Among the arrested suspects, two are also charged with methamphetamine use.

A police official urged, "Please be aware that even '010' mobile phone numbers, which you usually answer without suspicion, may be manipulated caller IDs used in telephone financial fraud calls. If the content of the call seems even slightly suspicious, please seek help from the nearest police station."

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