Fake App Pretending to 'Connect Saemin Geumyung' Discovered... "Immediate Shutdown, Caution When Downloading"

The Korea Inclusive Finance Agency announced on the 10th that it discovered a website inducing the installation of an app impersonating 'Seomin Geumyung Itda' and immediately requested its closure, urging consumers to exercise special caution.

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The impersonating website illegally used the Google Play logo and the name and images of the 'Seomin Geumyung Itda' app to deceive users into thinking it was the official app download page. It also employed a tactic of subtly modifying the official Korea Inclusive Finance Agency website URL.

To prevent customer damage, the agency promptly requested the Korea Internet & Security Agency to shut down the website. Additionally, it provided customers with precautions regarding the fraudulent website.

If financial consumers download a malicious app through the impersonating app download page, all information entered on their mobile phones, such as name, phone number, and the last digits of their resident registration number, can be leaked to the malicious app operators and used for illegal loans without the consumers' knowledge.

The agency advised, "When using various financial company apps, financial consumers should directly access and search for the apps on the Play Store or App Store to download them. Downloading apps through shortcuts on SNS channels like blogs or Instagram may lead to impersonating pages, so special caution is required."

Director Lee Jaeyeon stated, "Illegal financial crimes using impersonation of inclusive finance and malicious apps targeting low-income and vulnerable groups are increasing, so users of inclusive finance services need to be especially cautious. If you have installed an impersonating app, delete it immediately, and if you suffer any damage, please contact the Financial Supervisory Service at 1332 or the Cybercrime Reporting Center of the National Police Agency at 182 for consultation."

Meanwhile, the 'Seomin Geumyung Itda' app is a comprehensive inclusive finance platform that supports non-face-to-face complex consultations such as customized financial product recommendations, loan applications, and linkage to employment, welfare, and debt adjustment services.

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