Songpa District Activates Response System Against 'Public Official Impersonation' Scams

Songpa District in Seoul has activated a three-pronged response system to counter increasingly sophisticated scams involving impersonation of public officials. The measures include sending text alerts to contracted companies, enhancing interdepartmental cooperation, and working closely with the police.

Public Official Impersonation Phishing Awareness Poster. Provided by Songpa-gu.

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Recently, impersonation tactics have become more elaborate. There have been repeated cases of scammers forging district office employee business cards or official documents to demand delivery of goods such as fire extinguishers and disaster prevention uniforms, or to solicit construction work. In some instances, scammers gain prior knowledge of order histories through public contract systems and approach victims by suggesting direct meetings at the district office. From July 2025 to early April 2026, the General Affairs Division of Songpa District Office received 34 reports of public official impersonation.

Amid economic downturn, the targeting of small business owners with government procurement scams, as well as the spread of fraud to ordinary residents through inducements to sign up for financial products, has made it urgent to implement effective countermeasures.

As an initial step, the district is sending informational texts to local contractors frequently targeted by impersonation crimes. On April 22, cautionary messages were sent to 193 companies that had contracted with the district office within the past year and consented to provide personal information. The district plans to promptly send additional, detailed alerts whenever new scam tactics are identified.

An interdepartmental cooperation system has also been established. When a report of impersonation is received, the responsible department immediately notifies the General Affairs Division, which then swiftly shares the information with all departments and relevant agencies to prevent further damage. Songpa District is also operating a joint investigation system with Songpa Police Station to respond to such crimes.

The district is also providing information on prevention guidelines through its website and social network services (SNS). Officials repeatedly emphasized that public servants will never request proxy purchases of goods under any circumstances, and that residents should be suspicious if they receive business cards or official documents via a private mobile phone.

A Songpa District official stated, "Public official impersonation scams are a serious crime that undermines trust in public institutions," and urged, "If you receive a suspicious contact, block it immediately and verify by calling the district office's official representative number, not the number provided by the caller."

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