Post Office reports 36 bln won in fraud-related losses

SEOUL, Sept. 14 (Yonhap) -- Losses stemming from post office-related voice
phishing scams topped 36.2 billion won (US$29.5 million) over the last three
years, a government report submitted to a lawmaker said Monday.

The report, forwarded to Rep. Kim Gi-hyeon by Korea Post prior to a parliamentary
audit, showed 7,006 cases of fraud being reported from 2007 to Aug. 25.
Voice phishing refers to criminal use of telephone communications to gain access
to important personal and financial information. The information can be used by
criminals to withdraw money from bank accounts and other financial holdings.
The report said 1,211 cases of fraud were reported with damages reaching more
than 7.4 billion won in 2007. The numbers soared to 3,690 cases worth 18.6
billion the following year.
In the first eight months of this year, there have been 2,105 voice phishing
complaints totaling some 10.2 billion won in damages.
Korea Post, which is under the Ministry of Knowledge Economy, said the scams were
carried out by people claiming to be from the public prosecutors offices, police,
the financial supervisory service or insurance and telephone service providers.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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