A person who was deceived by a workplace colleague claiming, 'I will help you increase your money,' lent their identification card and was damaged by tens of billions of won in an identity theft fraud case that has been uncovered.
On the 16th, the Financial Supervisory Service noted that an identity theft loan scam had occurred, in which workplace colleagues provided identification cards and power of attorney under the pretext of investment to obtain jeonse loans, and issued a consumer alert of 'caution.'
Mr. A, who has been employed at a large company in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, is accused of swindling 7 billion won from about 30 colleagues from 2020 until December of last year. He gained trust by being called an 'investment expert' after repeatedly receiving investments from his colleagues and returning high revenue.
Mr. A demanded identification cards, power of attorney, and seal verification documents from his colleagues, claiming he would use them for real estate auction bids. He used these to open mobile phone accounts in the names of his colleagues and created false lease agreements. Mr. A swindled loans ranging from a minimum of 50 million won to a maximum of 600 million won, using this money for living expenses and luxury goods purchases.
Mr. A's crimes came to light in October of last year when a notice of arrears payment was sent to a victim who was unaware that a loan had been taken out in their name. Following the victim's report, a police investigation was initiated, and the Sejong Police Agency arrested and referred Mr. A for charges of fraud and forgery of private documents under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes last month.
A Financial Supervisory Service official stated, 'If identification cards and power of attorney are provided, public documents may be issued without the individual's knowledge, which can be used for financial fraud,' and added, 'If someone demands identification cards and promises high returns, you must refuse.'