Anxious, Rambling Guest... Lodging Owner's Quick Eye Saves 100 Million Won in Retirement Funds

Signs of Suspicion During Check-In... Unusual Behavior Spotted on CCTV
Collector for Voice Phishing Scam Subdued and Reported on the Spot

The quick judgment of a lodging business owner prevented voice phishing losses of around 100 million won. The owner, who noticed the suspicious behavior of a guest who was rambling and appeared anxious during the check-in process, subdued the voice phishing collector on site and reported it to the police.

The appearance of a voice phishing collector approaching the victim. Photo by Yonhap News

According to Yonhap News, on April 2, the Chuncheon Police Station in Gangwon Province announced that a man in his 50s, identified as Mr. A, who runs a lodging business in Chuncheon, apprehended a voice phishing collector on site and prevented losses of approximately 110 million won.

On the evening of March 30, Mr. A noticed something was amiss during the check-in process of Mr. B, a guest in his 70s who came to stay. Mr. B was trembling, rambling, and appeared extremely anxious. Sensing something was wrong, Mr. A later checked the establishment's CCTV footage and spotted Mr. B meeting another man in front of the building.

Finding the act of handing over an item suspicious, Mr. A immediately went to the scene, subdued Mr. C, a man in his 50s who was about to receive the item, and called the police.

An investigation revealed that Mr. B had been deceived by a voice phishing organization impersonating financial institutions and investigative agencies. Believing their instructions that "money could be withdrawn from his account," Mr. B was about to hand over checks worth approximately 110 million won.

The police have arrested Mr. C on charges of violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes (voice phishing), and are investigating the details of the case. They are also expanding the investigation to determine if there are additional crimes, such as involvement in similar cases in other regions.

A police official stated, "If you notice someone talking anxiously on the phone for a long time, or if someone is excessively wary of their surroundings while carrying items like paper bags, please report it promptly."

The Chuncheon Police Station plans to present Mr. A with a letter of appreciation and a reward for preventing the crime.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.