A voice phishing scheme targeting an elderly individual attempting to withdraw 26 million won was thwarted by quick police action. Officers lured the suspect with a decoy bag containing a speaker instead of cash and arrested the collector on-site after a stakeout.
According to the Jeonnam Provincial Police Agency, a bank employee reported on October 7 at 2:24 p.m. that an elderly customer was trying to withdraw 26 million won.
Upon arrival, officers from the Mokpo Police Station's Sanjeong Precinct, including Sergeant Jeong Ye-jong, confirmed the possibility of a voice phishing crime during their inquiry with the elderly individual.
The elderly person stated they had received a call and went to the bank, but had left their mobile phone at home. This raised suspicions among the officers, who then visited the individual's residence to check the phone's call status.
It was discovered that the phone was still connected to the voice phishing suspect. The suspect had instructed the victim to place the withdrawn cash in a black bag and leave it in their mailbox.
Believing that following the suspect's instructions could lead to financial loss, the police devised a response plan.
The officers decided to use a decoy bag containing a speaker instead of cash.
They placed the speaker in a black bag, wrapped it with tape to resemble a real cash-filled bag, and left it in the mailbox as directed by the suspect.
The officers then changed into civilian clothes and took positions on the second floor of the residence to wait for the suspect's arrival.
At approximately 3:35 p.m., a suspicious individual was seen rummaging through the mailbox. After confirming the situation, police arrested the voice phishing cash collector at 3:37 p.m., just two minutes later.
The arrest occurred about one hour and 13 minutes after the bank employee's report.
This incident highlights the importance of vigilant observation by bank employees and the swift response by police, which successfully prevented financial loss for the elderly victim.
Notably, the police's strategy of using a decoy bag without exposing actual cash to lure the collector was particularly effective.
The police agency released a 1-minute and 5-second video on social media on the 12th, showcasing the response process. Titled 'That’s a Speaker... It Was All Part of the Police Plan,' the video details the sequence from the bank report to confirming the voice phishing situation, setting up the decoy bag, conducting the stakeout, and ultimately arresting the collector.
This case illustrates how proactive reporting by financial institutions and prompt police action are crucial in preventing voice phishing crimes targeting the elderly.
Meanwhile, the police agency has highlighted the Mokpo Police Station's successful prevention of voice phishing and arrest of the cash collector as an exemplary case of on-site police work. Faces of civilians featured in the video have been blurred for privacy protection.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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