In a recent case that shocked the nation, a South Korean civil servant was arrested for committing crypto-related fraud and carrying out voice phishing attacks. The accused, a level six district office official in her 50s, allegedly received money from multiple victims and converted the fiat to Bitcoin. She then sent the coins to a voice phishing gang member in exchange for a fee. This incident sheds light on the increasing prevalence of crypto scams in South Korea.
Police in Seoul’s Dongdaemun District arrested the woman on charges of fraud at a bank in the Jegi Neighborhood. They revealed that she had converted over $74,000 worth of voice phishing fraud funds into Bitcoin and transferred the coins to a member of a voice phishing organization. The woman claimed that she was deceived into joining the gang by an individual who promised her legitimate means of making money.
Despite the arrest, police are still investigating the evidence and identifying potential additional victims. They have searched addresses connected to the civil servant and are examining additional data to determine if she used information learned at work to prey on potential victims. This case is just one of many crypto-related crimes plaguing South Korea in recent years.
In a separate incident in June 2023, a government worker allegedly stole around $3.5 million from the National Health Insurance Corporation (NHIC) and fled to the Philippines to live a life of luxury at an expensive resort. The worker reportedly embezzled the money from the NHIC and converted it to crypto before escaping. However, local police arrested the man in January and repatriated him to face charges.
South Korea has seen a rise in crypto-related crimes, including voice phishing scams where attackers impersonate government officials or bank employees to deceive victims. These attackers often exploit fears of financial threats or tax offenses to coerce victims into making bank or crypto transfers to fund their fraudulent schemes. The case of the civil servant and the government worker demonstrates the urgency of addressing these financial crimes in the country.
As South Korea grapples with the surge of crypto scams and fraudulent activities, law enforcement agencies are working tirelessly to investigate and prosecute those involved. The recent arrests of the civil servant and the government worker highlight the need for greater awareness and vigilance in the face of evolving financial crimes in the digital age. It is essential for individuals to exercise caution and skepticism when approached for financial transactions involving cryptocurrencies to protect themselves from falling victim to scams.
