[Reporter’s Notebook] Super-Intelligent Organized Voice Phishing Crimes Demand Evolving Countermeasures

More Than 10 Members Involved: A Sophisticated Organized Crime
Effective Measures Needed to Target and Prevent Core Organizations

As of July this year, the total damages from voice phishing crimes have reached 800 billion won, marking an all-time high. It is expected to surpass 1 trillion won within the year. Impersonating institutions or inducing the installation of malicious applications has now become a traditional tactic. The increasingly bold nature of voice phishing crimes is underpinned by operational capabilities armed with advanced technology.

Last month, the government announced a comprehensive plan to eradicate voice phishing, promising a "stronger and more fundamental" response. The core of this plan lies in prevention and proactive measures. The government will block malicious hacking apps and burner phones, which are key crime tools for voice phishing organizations, at the source, and will launch an integrated response team to monitor crimes around the clock. Responsibility will be strengthened not only for government agencies but also for private companies. This includes legalizing the banks' liability to compensate blameless victims and imposing sanctions on telecommunications companies that activate illegal burner phones.

However, according to victims, the government's measures do not adequately reflect reality. Today's voice phishing crimes are "super-intelligent" organized crimes that operate both domestically and internationally. Malicious apps are installed on victims' phones, and members impersonating prosecutors or detectives take turns interrogating them, while others disguise themselves as postal workers to deliver fake official documents. A sophisticated scenario involving at least ten people gradually overwhelms the victim's mind. Recently, deepfake and deep voice technologies have been used to deceive victims, making it a veritable showcase of cutting-edge technology.

The core members leading these operations are usually based overseas. While strengthening surveillance may allow authorities to apprehend cash couriers and call center operators within the country, these are merely the lowest ranks of the organization. It took five years to arrest the ringleader of a voice phishing organization based in China this past March. These groups openly recruit members by promising "high earnings abroad for unsavory work," expanding their ranks. Although the police have added 400 dedicated investigators, this seems insufficient to catch these "ghosts."

While the intention to prevent crime by strengthening responsibility is understandable, the "blameless compensation liability" that appears to shift responsibility onto banks also faces practical issues. It is difficult for banks to detect and prevent victims who voluntarily transfer money under threat. There is also the risk that blameless compensation could lower customers' vigilance, making them more vulnerable to crime.

Although the government's comprehensive plan is welcome, albeit late, more practical measures are needed to protect citizens who are currently threatened by voice phishing. Crimes that evolve technologically must be countered with technology. The "Scam Signal" system in the United Kingdom, developed through cooperation between telecommunications companies and banks, detects when a victim is on the phone with a criminal or when abnormal networks are being used. To counter criminal organizations armed with artificial intelligence (AI) and based in countries such as China, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, close networking with foreign investigative authorities is essential, and AI must be used as a shield against AI-powered crime syndicates. It is encouraging that domestic investigative agencies, telecommunications companies, and businesses have recently developed and begun deploying systems that use AI to detect and block voice phishing in advance.

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