Gangwon Province Urges Caution Against Voice Phishing Scams Impersonating Officials for Money Requests

Fake Business Cards and Demands for Payment
Series of Scam Attempts Reported
Police Investigation Requested, Public Urged to Stay Alert

Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province has urged residents and local businesses to exercise heightened caution following a series of voice phishing attempts in which scammers impersonated provincial government officials to solicit money or valuables from private companies.

Fake business card impersonating a government official used in voice phishing. Provided by Gangwon Province

On October 13, an individual impersonating an employee (A) of the provincial government contacted a private business owner (B), requesting the placement of an order for materials from a specific company under the pretense of promoting a business project. Subsequently, on November 28, another case occurred in which someone impersonating a senior official (C) from the province demanded that another business owner (D) pay for the purchase of goods on their behalf.

Gangwon Province announced on December 2 that these recent incidents are considered a type of voice phishing scam, in which external individuals not affiliated with the province used stolen information about public officials to approach their victims. The province has reported these cases to the police.

Yoon Wooyoung, Director of Administration at Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, stated, "Provincial government officials will never request payments or purchases to be made on their behalf via personal phone calls. If you receive such a call, hang up immediately and verify the facts with the relevant department at the provincial office."

He added, "To prevent further impersonation scams, we will share these cases with city and county offices and strengthen preventive measures in cooperation with related organizations and social groups."

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