As the scripts used in voice phishing crimes continuously evolve, there are increasing cases where phone recipients are caught off guard and fall victim without even a hint of suspicion.

According to the police on the 15th, the most prevalent type of voice phishing causing significant damage is the 'institution impersonation type,' which pretends to be national agencies such as the Financial Supervisory Service or the prosecution. This method induces fear in the phone recipient to extort money, and it has been a common repertoire since the early days of voice phishing crimes around 2010.

Recently, this method has evolved into various forms. It overlays realistic scenarios that make the recipient respond to the call without suspicion. Examples include credit card delivery notifications, home appliance deliveries, and court document returns.

The crime anticipates the recipient's reaction and is meticulously prepared for the next step. For instance, if a recipient who receives a call about card delivery responds with "I never applied for that" or "I don't know what's going on," the phishing perpetrator provides a fake customer service phone number. When the victim calls that number, the fake consultant creates anxiety with terms like 'personal information leak,' 'suspicious account,' and 'identity theft.' Once the victim reaches this stage, they begin to act according to the organization's script. From this point on, it follows a traditional repertoire. In the past, methods that instilled fear from the first call, such as 'child kidnapping' or 'involvement in account crimes,' were prevalent. However, as these methods became widely known and their success rates dropped, the perpetrators shifted to using realistic bait to block the recipient's suspicion and gradually erode their psychology.

The classic crime scripts that deliver psychological shock right from the first call are also becoming more sophisticated. Instead of sticking to existing repertoires like kidnapping or traffic accidents, they threaten with claims like "There is a video of you filmed at a massage parlor" or "The site you recently joined is operated by a criminal organization and requires investigation." Those who have recently visited prostitution establishments or have a history of signing up for illegal gambling sites become the easiest targets.

Baek Ui-hyung, head of the police phishing crime investigation unit, stated, "Voice phishing is evolving to more cunningly exploit the psychological weaknesses of victims. If anything seems off, hang up the phone immediately and make sure to verify with the relevant agency yourself to prevent damage."

[Moon Kwang-min, Reporter]