Gyeongsan City Issues Fraud Alert to Food Business Operators: "Beware of Forged Official Documents Impersonating Food and Drug Safety Ministry!"

Surge in Cases of Induced Hygiene Equipment Purchases and Demands for Payment

Gyeongsan City has issued a warning to food business operators to exercise heightened caution, following a series of fraud cases in which scammers have used forged official documents impersonating administrative agencies such as the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to steal money.

This fraud method, which has been spreading nationwide recently, exploits the pretext of amendments to the Food Sanitation Act or the strengthening of hygiene inspections.

The scammers contact business operators and deceive them by claiming that "hygiene management equipment is now mandatory," then induce them to purchase products such as ATP meters and temperature·humidity meters through specific companies.

In particular, the scammers send documents via fax, text message, or email that closely resemble actual official documents issued by administrative agencies.

These forged documents include the name and position of a supposed official, as well as specific inspection schedules, significantly increasing the risk that business operators may be easily deceived.

There have also been cases where the scammers have pressured victims to make payments by stating that "failure to procure the equipment may result in administrative penalties," or that "the purchase cost can be reimbursed later."

Gyeongsan City emphasized that neither national agencies nor local governments require the purchase of goods from specific companies or request bank transfers by phone or text message.

In particular, the city explained that special caution is needed in cases involving official documents containing personal mobile phone numbers, inducement to transact with specific companies, or requests for immediate contract and payment by phone, as these are highly likely to be impersonation attempts.

Additionally, the city urged that if you receive suspicious contacts or official documents, you should immediately cease any transactions, verify the facts with the relevant authorities, and report to the police if there is a risk of financial loss.

An Byungsook, Director of Gyeongsan Public Health Center, stated, "As scam cases using forged official documents impersonating the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety are occurring nationwide, food business operators must exercise particular caution. If you receive suspicious documents or requests for money, please make sure to verify the facts with the relevant authorities to prevent damage."