"The Loan Consultant Told Me To"... Quick-Witted Employee Prevents 60 Million Won Voice Phishing Loss

Elderly Couple Deceived by Bank-Impersonation Voice Phishing Scam
Telecom Employee's Report Prevents Financial Loss

An elderly couple in their 70s narrowly avoided falling victim to a voice phishing scam involving the removal of their USIM card, thanks to the quick thinking of a telecommunications store employee.

Head of SK Telecom Agency Store Prevents Voice Phishing. Jeju Provincial Police Agency, Yonhap News

According to the Jeju Police Agency on June 19, a man in his 70s, referred to as Mr. A, visited an SK Telecom dealership in Jeju City on June 12. He had been deceived by a voice phishing scammer impersonating a bank employee, who told him that a low-interest refinancing loan was available and instructed him to remove his USIM card.

Store manager Ju Seung-in, who assisted Mr. A, became suspicious of voice phishing after Mr. A explained that a “loan consultant” had told him to remove the USIM card. Upon checking Mr. A’s mobile phone, Ju discovered an app impersonating a bank as well as chat records with the scammer.

Ju also confirmed that Mr. A’s spouse had fallen for the same scam, and immediately reported the incident to the police.

Thanks to Ju’s prompt response, the couple was saved from a potential financial loss of about 60 million won.

The Jeju Police Agency presented Ju with a certificate of appreciation on June 19 in recognition of his contribution to preventing voice phishing crimes.

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