The Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) and police caught a business operator who carried out voice phishing by spoofing the numbers of financial and public institutions.
The Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) said on the 15th that, in cooperation with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, it apprehended a telecom operator that placed voice phishing calls by spoofing the main numbers of financial and public institutions and sent illegal spam text messages.
While analyzing reports of falsified caller ID and spam, the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) detected signs that card issuance and parcel delivery notification calls, which spoofed the main numbers of corporations and institutions such as the post office, were being made through a specific telecom operator. It also confirmed cases of spam texts posing as card companies with card issuance guidance.
In response, the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) shared the reports and analysis with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency and checked whether the telecom operator that spoofed numbers had suffered a system hack. It also conducted a joint investigation with police based on cooperation that included technical support from the Central Radio Management Service for inspections to prevent falsified caller ID and additional probes into suspected phishing cases using spam report data.
Based on the materials provided by the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) and the results of the joint investigation, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency arrested several officials of telecom operators related to calls and texts and sent the case to prosecutors. Police are continuing to investigate additional indications of crimes.
Lee Sang-jung, president of the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA), said, "This joint investigation is a case that shows reports of falsified caller ID and spam can lead not only to simple intake but also to securing criminal evidence and investigative cooperation," adding, "Going forward, the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) will continue to respond preemptively to phishing and spam crimes and work closely with relevant agencies to minimize harm to the public."