A scam that used forged official documents impersonating the Ministery of Food and Drug Safety to force purchases of items related to food hygiene has also occurred in Busan. The city of Busan urged food business operators in its jurisdiction to exercise particular caution.
According to the city of Busan on the 5th, scammers recently deceived businesses in its jurisdiction into believing that equipment such as hygiene contamination level meters (ATP meters) and temperature-humidity meters must be mandatory due to a revision of the Food Sanitation Act, and demanded purchases and deposits through specific companies.
The scam company sent forged official letters via fax, text message, and email, altering details such as the person in charge, Director's name, inspection date, and contact information. They targeted food manufacturing and processing businesses and livestock product processing businesses, as well as some food service businesses and meat retail businesses.
They threatened that failure to procure the equipment could lead to administrative action, or induced deposits by promising refunds later. It was reported that a livestock product processing business in the Busan area suffered financial damage.
A city official said, "Government agencies, under no circumstances, force the purchase of specific items or demand deposits by phone or other means," and added, "If a suspicious case occurs, please report it to the police immediately."