Seoul SCIA Detains 'No-Show Scam' Ring Member, Takes First Suspect Into Custody in Voice Phishing Probe

Accused of deceiving self-employed business owners and stealing payments for goods
Overseas-based ring believed to have dozens of members; investigation expands

The Seoul Serious Crimes Investigation Agency (Seoul SCIA) has detained a member of a voice phishing ring accused of carrying out so-called “no-show scams” targeting self-employed business owners. This is the first case in which the agency has taken a suspect into custody in a voice phishing investigation since it opened.

The Serious Crimes Investigation Agency began operating at full capacity on the 16th, just two weeks after its launch. President Lee Jaemyung approved the appointment of Kim Jiyong, nominee for the agency's inaugural chief, on the 15th. Now no longer a nominee, Kim reported for his first day of work on the 16th, avoiding reporters.

Oct. 16, 2026. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

According to legal sources on Oct. 30, the Seoul Eastern District Court issued an arrest warrant on Oct. 29 for A, a person in their 20s, who is accused of joining and participating in a criminal organization, among other charges. The court said there were concerns that A might destroy evidence or flee.

A is accused of joining a voice phishing ring based overseas, approaching self-employed business owners with offers to place large orders, then inducing them to purchase goods from a particular company and posing as an employee of that company to steal the payments.

The Seoul SCIA identified A as a suspect while investigating a case transferred from the former Joint Investigation Team for Voice Phishing at the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors’ Office. A, whose passport had been invalidated after being placed on a wanted list, recently returned to South Korea voluntarily and was arrested at Incheon International Airport on Oct. 27.

The Seoul SCIA believes the organization A belonged to has dozens of members and is continuing its investigation into the other members and the scale of the losses.

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