Two teenage students who studied abroad in China were caught after they were involved in a voice phishing crime in which they attempted to steal money from the elderly. (Image : Kobizmedia / Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, Oct. 15 (Korea Bizwire) – Two teenage students who studied abroad in China were caught after they were involved in a voice phishing crime in which they attempted to steal money from the elderly.
According to law enforcement officials, Koo (aged 19) and his friend broke into an elderly woman’s house and stole 17,460,000 won in cash from her refrigerator on September 30. From then until October 6, they raked in a total of 129 million won from five voice phishing victims.
As part of the scheme, members of a voice phishing gang in China called the victims, impersonating an investigator, and deceived them by saying that their personal information had leaked and their savings were in danger. They persuaded the victims to withdraw their savings from their bank accounts, and hide the cash at home in places such as a refrigerator. Then, the teenage boys broke in and stole the money. The victims were all seniors over 70, and the amount of the theft reached 45 million won in some cases. The four teenagers participating in the scam, including Koo, were all aged 19.
Koo grew up in China from elementary school to high school before entering a Korean university. He received a proposal to take part in a voice phishing crime from an acquaintance in China, and accepted it to make easy money. Koo included his friend Paik from China, and also another individual named Kim, who he got to know in Korea.
In the past, Chinese nationals living in Korea usually participated in these types of crime, but now, there are an increasing number of cases in which Korean students who studied abroad in China are getting involved in voice phishing scams. (Image : Clandestino / Pixabay)
Officials commented that there has been a shift in the modus operandi of voice phishing conspirators. “In the past, Chinese nationals living in Korea usually participated in these types of crime, but now, there are an increasing number of cases in which Korean students who studied abroad in China are getting involved in voice phishing scams.”
By M.H.Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
