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Photo courtesy of Yonhap News |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] Seoul – A wave of unauthorized mobile micro-payment fraud cases targeting KT subscribers has expanded beyond Seoul’s Geumcheon District and Gwangmyeong in Gyeonggi Province to neighboring areas, raising consumer anxiety. With the exact methods still unclear, the government has formed a public-private joint investigative task force to work alongside police authorities.
Recent Developments
Between September 5–7, Bucheon Sosa Police Station received five new reports from KT customers whose phones had been used for unauthorized small-sum payments. It also emerged belatedly that Yeongdeungpo Police Station had received similar reports last month but closed the case earlier this month after failing to identify suspects.
Scope of Damage
Estimated total losses: approx. KRW 50 million (USD 37,000)
Gwangmyeong: KRW 38 million
Geumcheon: KRW 7.8 million
Additional cases: Bucheon, Yeongdeungpo
Estimated number of victims: around 80 individuals
An Unusual Crime Pattern
Unlike typical cyberattacks that indiscriminately target large populations, these cases have been concentrated in specific regions and timeframes, and exclusively among KT subscribers. Experts suggest the incidents may represent a new type of cybercrime.
Police & Government Response
The Gyeonggi Southern Police Agency continues to investigate multiple possible hacking scenarios but has yet to determine the exact method used.
Police have expanded the dedicated task force from one unit (5 officers) to four units (25 officers) to accelerate the investigation.
The government announced the establishment of a public-private joint task force to strengthen investigative efforts and address growing public concerns.
Authorities emphasized that further monitoring and preventive measures will remain in place until the perpetrators and techniques are identified.
Alphabiz Reporter Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
