Voice Phishing Joint Task Force, 30 Members of Voice Phishing Organization Linked to Drugs and Organized Crime Arrested

8 Arrested and Indicted, 12 Indicted Without Detention
Prosecutors, Police, National Tax Service, Customs Service, Financial Supervisory Service, and Broadcasting Commission Conduct Joint Investigation
Utilizing Account Payment Suspension Data... Developing Voice Phishing Investigation Techniques

The domestic ringleader fleeing to the second basement floor through the fire emergency exit. Photo by Dongbu District Prosecutors' Office

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] The Joint Government Investigation Team on Voice Phishing Crimes (Head Kim Hosam) announced on the 1st that a total of 30 people, including domestic and overseas masterminds of voice phishing, have been booked on charges such as fraud. Among them, 8 were indicted in custody, and 12 were indicted without detention. Investigations are currently ongoing for 6 individuals, and prosecution has been suspended for 4.

The investigation team conducted a full reinvestigation of the case in July this year, in which two cash collectors, including Mr. A (34), were sent without detention. As a result, four people were arrested and indicted in custody: domestic mastermind Mr. B (39), currency exchange agent Mr. C (42), overseas order broker of Chinese nationality Mr. D (41), and official document forger Mr. E (37). Subsequently, 22 additional people, including the Chinese mastermind and fake bank account distributors, were booked. This month, three people, including Mr. F (54), the leader of the Dongbangpa organized crime group who distributed and brokered fake bank accounts, were arrested in custody.

According to the prosecution, the Chinese mastermind and domestic mastermind are accused of deceiving 23 domestic victims from 2013 to June this year under the pretext of account-related crimes and low-interest loans, embezzling a total of 950 million KRW. The Chinese masterminds received victim information from call centers and instructed cash collectors to receive the victim’s money. They are also charged with impersonating police officers (impersonation of public officials, etc.).

The mastermind of fake bank account distribution and the account holders are accused of providing 18 fake bank accounts to voice phishing organizations from December last year to June this year, enabling the embezzlement of about 400 million KRW from 8 victims.

During the voice phishing investigation, the team confirmed drug-related crimes by domestic masterminds and seized narcotics. They also booked the leader of the Busan-based organized crime group 'Dongbangpa' and an active member of the 'Chilseongpa' for voice phishing crimes. Additionally, for the Chinese mastermind, further crimes were confirmed, and an arrest warrant was issued. Interpol red notice and criminal judicial cooperation were requested.

A prosecution official stated, "This result was possible because, with the launch of the joint investigation team, prosecution, police, National Tax Service, Customs Service, Financial Supervisory Service, and Korea Communications Commission were able to conduct a joint investigation as one team, from account tracking to identifying accomplices, on-site arrests, searches, and detention."

The team also developed investigative techniques using payment suspension data of accounts used in voice phishing. Using payment suspension data secured with a single warrant, the team identified all accounts related to hiding and laundering the victim’s money, including the final withdrawal account. By backtracking multiple rounds of laundering and transfer details, they were able to additionally identify 62 million KRW of fraud proceeds.

Since its launch on July 29, the joint investigation team has booked a total of 93 people and arrested 20. A prosecution official said, "We will continue to root out voice phishing from the lowest-level members to the highest masterminds through forced repatriation of overseas masterminds," and added, "We will do our best to protect our citizens safely from voice phishing crimes."

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