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Photo courtesy of Yonhap News |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] The Cyber Investigation Unit of the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police announced on the 17th that it has arrested two Chinese nationals residing in Korea in connection with a hacking scheme targeting KT mobile users.
A 48-year-old suspect, identified only as Mr. A, was arrested at Incheon International Airport on September 16 on charges of violating the Information and Communications Network Act and computer fraud. He is accused of installing illegal small-scale base station equipment in a van and driving through parts of the Seoul metropolitan area late last month to intercept KT users’ mobile signals. Using the stolen access, he allegedly carried out unauthorized small payments, including mobile gift card purchases and transit card top-ups.
A second suspect, Mr. B (44), was apprehended later the same day in Seoul’s Yeongdeungpo District on suspicion of converting the illicit transactions into cash. He is also facing charges of computer fraud and violations of anti–money laundering laws.
Police seized the illegal base station equipment during the arrest, which reportedly consisted of multiple antennas and telecom-related hardware. However, investigators are still working to determine how the suspects were able to extract user data and successfully process unauthorized payments.
Authorities believe Mr. A acted alone in operating the equipment, but Mr. B participated in monetizing the stolen funds. Both suspects are ethnic Koreans holding Chinese nationality and were legally residing in Korea as day laborers.
The investigation revealed that police had already identified the suspects earlier, but Mr. A had temporarily left for China. He was caught upon re-entering Korea, unaware he was under investigation. Police executed a pre-issued arrest warrant against Mr. A and carried out an emergency arrest of Mr. B after corroborating initial evidence.
As of 6 p.m. on September 12, KT confirmed 199 cases of fraudulent small payments, totaling ₩126 million (approx. USD 92,000) in damages. Police plan to seek detention warrants for both suspects following preliminary questioning.
Alphabiz Reporter Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
