Recently, there have been a series of fraudulent crimes where individuals impersonating local government officials or employees of public institutions have approached self-employed individuals, demanding the purchase of high-priced items. It has been revealed that information available on the Public Procurement Service's website was utilized.
On the 23rd, the Public Procurement Service noted that a fraudulent method of approaching specific companies using contract information available on the public institution online bidding system 'Nara Marketplace' and demanding delivery contracts for goods is prevalent.
The suspects used business cards with the names of local government officials or public institution employees identified on Nara Marketplace and created false official documents. They initially asked victims to deliver small items to build trust, then induced purchases of other high-priced items by claiming they could be supplied 'at a lower price than the regular price.'
According to the Public Procurement Service, the items used in the fraudulent crimes include AED defibrillators, multi-function printers, electrocardiogram machines, rice, conference tables, partitions, blinds, official vehicles, computers, tiles, water supply parts, wine, agricultural equipment (protective suits), heat-resistant clothing, special gloves, firefighting suits, sofas, automatic doors, cleaning supplies, and event materials.
The local governments impersonated by the suspects include 29 places: Ulsan, Sejong, Asan, Boryung, Chungju, Yeongju, Gunpo, Suwon, Hwaseong, Gwangyang, Donghae, Bucheon, Changwon, Gumi, Chuncheon, Jecheon, Gyeongju, Gunsan, Yeosu, Cheonan, Gimje, Anyang, Taebaek, Suncheon, Geochang, Hamyang, Gochang, Okcheon, and Mu-an. Additionally, public institutions such as the National Health Insurance Service, Asan Fire Station, Yeongju Fire Station, Uljin Fire Station, Wonju Fire Station were also exploited in the crimes.
The Public Procurement Service deemed these fraudulent acts as crimes that undermine the credibility of public procurement, stating they would immediately refer cases to investigative authorities and financial authorities when reports are received.
The Public Procurement Service advised that to prevent damages, if they receive requests for high-priced goods, they should verify the official contact of the person in charge on the website of the institution they are claimed to be affiliated with. They also stated that if it's a normal transaction, they should first demand a quote, and that the format known as 'purchase confirmation letter' is not an official document template used.
The Public Procurement Service is publicly sharing real-time cases of fraud victims impersonating public institutions and the methods of these crimes on the first screen of Nara Marketplace and is providing guidance on how to report such incidents.