"Long-term Delinquent Target"... Gang Embezzled 48.5 Billion Won Through Illegal Text Messages

Three People Including Company CEO Detained, 17 Referred Without Detention

A group involved in sending large volumes of illegal text messages on behalf of a voice phishing criminal organization has been collectively handed over to the prosecution.

Voice phishing bait message sent by a daily worker. Provided by Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency

On the 7th, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Criminal Mobile Unit announced that they investigated six text message transmission companies and arrested and sent three people, including company representative Mr. A (39), on charges of violating the Telecommunications Business Act and the Information and Communications Network Act, while 17 others were sent without detention.

They are accused of sending large volumes of illegal messages such as voice phishing bait texts, illegal pharmaceuticals, gambling sites, and prostitution advertisements from 2015 until October of this year, receiving fees per message sent. The total number of illegal messages sent by the six text transmission companies until recently is estimated by the police to be 2.8 billion, generating illegal profits of approximately 48.5 billion KRW.

Illegal crime proceeds seized by the police. Provided by Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency

In particular, Mr. A was found to have evaded crackdowns by sending messages to domestic mobile phones via overseas telecommunications companies not registered with the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT). Additionally, by hosting site servers overseas and receiving text transmission requests only through overseas social networking services (SNS), then collecting payments in virtual assets through overseas exchanges, he avoided various regulations. It is known that Mr. A charged fees of 14 to 20 KRW per message and sent a total of 2.1 billion illegal messages, earning profits worth approximately 39 billion KRW.

The police confirmed that voice phishing damage, which involved sending messages impersonating credit card issuance and inducing recipients to call, significantly increased last year, and began investigations in January this year. From the end of May to the end of October, after identifying six companies including the one operated by Mr. A, they conducted raids on offices and residences to secure evidence.

According to police analysis, the rate of voice phishing crimes following bait messages in January this year was between 86% and 100%, with bait messages impersonating prosecutors and others having a high crime success rate.

The police plan to recover the criminal proceeds obtained by the group, including 4.8 billion KRW acquired by Mr. A, through pre-indictment seizure and confiscation procedures.

A police official stated, "As it has become difficult to send bait messages through international-origin operators, institution-impersonation voice phishing, impersonating card delivery personnel, prosecutors, police, and others, is increasing," adding, "Since the methods have changed, special caution is necessary."

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