Increase in Face-to-Face Extortion Type Voice Phishing Crimes Requires Caution

Jeonnam Police, Small Attention from Surroundings Prevents Voice Phishing Damage

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] As voice phishing crime methods evolve and become more sophisticated, the status of voice phishing occurrences by type in Jeonnam over the past three years shows that from 2020, the face-to-face extortion type began to increase, accounting for 79.4% of the total cases last year.

The Jeonnam Police Agency announced on the 24th that the ‘face-to-face extortion’ method, which recently forces victims to withdraw cash and deliver it directly, is rampant, urging special caution.

In cases where cash collectors receive the victim’s money and deliver it to accomplices, it has been identified that they often use bank ATMs for extended periods while depositing large sums of cash.

Also, many cases involve collecting the victim’s money while moving by taxi or other means, so reports from bank employees or taxi drivers have led to arrests or recovery of the victim’s money, making active reporting important.

In fact, on the 21st in Haenam, Jeonnam, A (32), who impersonated a prosecutor and fled after receiving 61 million won in cash from a victim, was arrested following a taxi driver’s report, and the entire amount was recovered.

On the same day in Naju, B (27, female), who deceived a victim by promising a low-interest refinancing loan and was transferring 37 million won via ATM to deliver to an accomplice, was arrested following a bank employee’s report, and part of the victim’s money was recovered.

The police stated that they plan to present letters of appreciation and reward money to the taxi drivers and bank employees.

A police official urged, “If someone impersonates an investigative agency or demands cash delivery or deposits under the pretext of providing low-interest loans, it is telephone financial fraud, so do not comply under any circumstances.”

They added, “Voice phishing can be prevented and detected through the attention of those around you, so if you suspect voice phishing, please report it to the police without hesitation.”

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