digital wedding invitation (Image supported by ChatGPT)
SEOUL, Aug. 1 (Korea Bizwire) — AhnLab, a leading South Korean cybersecurity firm, reported Wednesday that phishing scams disguised as digital wedding invitations were the most common form of SMS-based cyberattacks in the second quarter of 2025.
According to AhnLab’s “Q2 2025 Phishing SMS Trend Report,” such scams accounted for 28.10% of all phishing messages, marking a staggering 1,189% increase from the previous quarter. The surge is attributed to attackers exploiting the spring wedding season, when users are less likely to be suspicious of digital invitations.
Trailing behind were scams disguised as job offers (18.69%), fake financial institution messages (15.03%), loan advertisements (14.66%), fraudulent Telegram alerts (10.71%), impersonations of government agencies (4.85%), and delivery services (2.03%).
The phishing messages typically include URLs that appear to lead to mobile wedding invitations. Once opened, users are directed to fake websites or prompted to download malicious apps disguised as images or interactive elements. These apps are designed to steal personal information such as contact lists.
“Phishing attacks are increasingly tailored to seasonal trends and social interests, exploiting psychological vulnerabilities in users’ everyday lives,” AhnLab warned. The company urged the public to remain cautious, avoid clicking suspicious links, and stay informed about the latest phishing techniques to minimize risks.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
