Police Bust Major Phishing Ring Extorting Victims in South Korea

• •The phishing ring extorted 6.7 billion won from 68 victims by impersonating officials.
• •Victims were coerced into sending nude photos under false pretenses of legal investigations.
• •The operation involved a structured call center in Bangkok with distinct roles for members.

A phishing ring based in Bangkok, Thailand, has been dismantled by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. The group, which included 11 members, impersonated prosecutors and financial regulators to extort approximately 6.7 billion won ($4.73 million) from 68 victims between May and December of last year. Victims were coerced into sending nude photos under the pretext of a physical examination related to fabricated criminal charges. The group operated a call center in Bangkok and divided roles among its members to execute the scam. Authorities have frozen 157 million won in criminal proceeds and are pursuing additional suspects. The ringleader, a 29-year-old South Korean, and nine others have been arrested, while nine more members remain at large. This case highlights the increasing sophistication of voice phishing schemes targeting individuals in South Korea.