A citizen attempting to transfer a large investment amount avoided further losses thanks to the careful verification by a bank employee.
The Anyang Dong-an Police Station announced on September 8 that they presented a certificate of appreciation and a reward to Shinhan Bank's Bisan-dong branch employee, identified as A, for contributing to the prevention of an investment scam.
According to the police, A discovered that B, who visited the bank last month, was attempting to transfer approximately 190 million won under the guise of an investment.
B had received an investment proposal from an acquaintance and was in the process of sending the funds. However, A assessed the transaction and the intended use of the funds, determining that there was a possibility of fraud.
To prevent any further transfers and potential losses, A promptly requested a payment hold and reported the situation to the police by calling 112.
A stated, "Although the customer explained it as an investment, the amount was quite large, and during the verification process, I looked for any unusual signs regarding the nature of the funds and the transfer circumstances. I judged that it could lead to a potential loss and reported it to the police, and I’m relieved that it helped prevent further damage."
The police emphasized the need for heightened vigilance in financial transactions, noting that scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, often luring victims with promises of high returns.
They particularly urged individuals to verify the facts of any investment proposals that lack clear sources or promise high returns in a short period, rather than rushing to send money.
Meanwhile, Chief Kim Shin-jo stated, "As new types of scams and criminal methods become more sophisticated, there are many cases where victims only realize they have been defrauded too late or find it difficult to recover their losses."
He added, "In cases like this, the careful observation and prompt reporting by financial institution employees play a significant role in protecting citizens' valuable assets."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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