"Put a Speaker in Instead of Cash"... Police Catch Voice Phishing Cash Collector with Quick Thinking

Mokpo Corporal Jeong Yejong Prevents 26 Million Won Loss for Elderly Citizen
Arrests Cash Collector During Stakeout After Placing a "Decoy Bag" in Mailbox

A voice phishing scam that persuaded an elderly citizen to put tens of millions of won in a mailbox was foiled thanks to a police officer's quick thinking.

According to the Jeonnam Provincial Police Agency, at around 2:24 p.m. on October 7, police received a report that an elderly citizen was trying to withdraw 26 million won in cash from a bank in Mokpo.

Corporal Jeong Yejong of the Sanjeong Police Substation at Mokpo Police Station responded to the report and noticed suspicious behavior by the citizen.

Mokpo Police Station Sanjeong Police Substation Officer Jeong Yejong apprehends a person suspected of belonging to a voice phishing crime ring. Provided by the Jeonnam Provincial Police Agency.

The citizen said they had gone to the bank after receiving a phone call, but explained that they had left their mobile phone at home. This struck Jeong as suspicious.

Suspecting a possible voice phishing scam, Corporal Jeong went to the citizen's home to check the situation. At the time, a member of the voice phishing organization was still on the phone with the citizen, giving instructions on where and how to hand over the cash.

The caller had instructed the citizen to put 26 million won in cash in a black bag and leave it in the mailbox at home. Realizing it was a voice phishing scam, Corporal Jeong took action to prevent the cash from reaching the perpetrators. Instead of putting in the actual money, he placed a speaker in the bag, wrapped it with tape to make it look as if it contained cash, and left it in the mailbox.

Police began surveillance in anticipation of a collector showing up. The officers changed into plain clothes and took up positions, including on the second floor of the residence, coordinating their roles as they watched for the suspect's movements. At around 3:35 p.m. that day, a person appeared and searched the mailbox for the cash. After confirming the collector's actions, police arrested the person at the scene in the act about two minutes later.

The arrest came 1 hour and 13 minutes after the bank employee's report was received.

An official from the Jeonnam Provincial Police Agency said, "This case is a prime example of how an experienced police officer's quick thinking prevented financial losses to a member of the public. Our police will continue to do their utmost to protect citizens."

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