The National Police Agency has issued a warning about a sharp increase in telephone scam cases involving international phone numbers since July of this year.
According to the National Police Agency, the number of phone numbers used in fraud cases last month reached 4,118 cases. Among these, approximately half, or 2,192 cases, started with international phone numbers like “+1.”
While international phone numbers were involved in 201 cases in June, they surged to 969 cases in July and 1,083 cases in August.
Most of these cases originate from countries like the United States and Canada, starting with “+1,” or the United Kingdom with “+44.” However, in September alone, there has been an increase in cases originating from Malaysia with “+60.”
The National Police Agency attributes the rise in phone scams involving international phone numbers to factors such as increased crackdowns on crimes conducted using IP phones starting with “050” numbers and the acquisition of numbers by fraud groups through communication apps. As a countermeasure they advise the public to exercise caution and not respond to or return calls from international numbers.
Furthermore, the National Police Agency has conducted its first investigation into the background of individuals involved in these telephone scams, including both perpetrators and victims, between January and July of this year. Out of the 1,079 individuals investigated, the most common way they became involved in these crimes was through “applications on social media” (506 people), followed by “referrals from acquaintances” (297 people), and “legitimate job information websites” (53 people). Some individuals were even approached by drug dealers and became involved in the crimes.
When considering age groups, teenagers got involved through acquaintances, while those in their 20s to 40s were predominantly influenced by “social media.” Those in their 50s, while still influenced by “social media,” also showed a significant presence on “legitimate job information websites.”
