Voice Phishing Fraud Surges, Exceeding 100,000 Accounts Affected

Voice phishing fraud has reached alarming levels, with over 100,000 fraud-linked accounts reported last year, marking a 42.1% increase from the previous year. Victims, including individuals like a Seoul housewife, are often manipulated into providing sensitive information under the guise of loan approvals. The total financial losses from telecommunications-based fraud have also hit a five-year high, totaling approximately 433.8 billion won ($317 million) in the previous year. Despite a decrease in the number of reported cases, the average loss per case has more than doubled, indicating that while fewer incidents occur, they are more financially damaging. Criminal organizations are increasingly sophisticated, sharing victim information and employing advanced tactics to defraud individuals. The government is under pressure to enhance countermeasures against these evolving threats, as existing efforts appear insufficient to curb the rising trend of financial fraud.

Key Points: • Voice phishing fraud accounts surpassed 100,000 for the first time last year. • Total losses from telecommunications-based fraud reached 433.8 billion won in 2025. • Average losses per voice phishing case have more than doubled since 2020.