Police Warn Against Threats and Gaslighting in Voice Phishing Scams
A young man in his twenties narrowly avoided financial loss after being manipulated by a voice phishing gang, which led him to check into a motel and even allowed them to remotely control his phone. On June 2, the police responded to a report from the boyfriend of a woman who had been in contact with someone claiming to be an investigator and had not left the motel since the previous day.
Investigations revealed that the victim, referred to as A, had been contacted by scammers impersonating prosecutors from the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office the day before the report. They had sent him fake legal documents, instilling fear and compelling him to follow their instructions.
The scammers accused A of having his bank account linked to a special fraud investigation and pressured him for hours, demanding he go to a secluded location and threatening immediate arrest if he did not comply.
On June 1, around 3 PM, A went to the motel alone, where he stayed for over 20 hours while continuing to communicate with the scammers. He even purchased a burner phone and downloaded a remote control app as per their instructions.
In a twist of events, A was so convinced by the scammers that he even doubted the legitimacy of the police who arrived at the motel. However, the officers were able to confirm that the documents A received were fake and, through persistent explanation and persuasion, managed to prevent him from falling victim to the scam.
A police spokesperson emphasized that voice phishing organizations often use intimidation and gaslighting tactics to isolate victims, making it difficult for them to think rationally. They urged anyone receiving suspicious communications claiming to be from law enforcement to report it to the police or visit a nearby station for assistance.
