Online Scams & Fraud in South Korea
Online scams and fraud in South Korea have become a big worry in recent times. One type of scam that has become increasingly common is text message phishing. These scams trick people through text messages, making them reveal personal information or fall victim to financial fraud.
What's even more concerning is that the amount of money lost to these scams has tripled in just two years. It went from 37.3 billion won in 2020 to a shocking 92.7 billion won in 2022. Additionally, victims of these phishing scams experienced a substantial loss of 284.9 billion won in the previous year alone.
Text message phishing is the most popular method used by scammers, making up a massive 89 percent of all reported scams. There were 25,534 cases of these scams in the previous year alone. It was also discovered that a significant number of these fraudulent activities happened through Kakao Talk, which is South Korea's top mobile messenger platform.
Read on to learn where you can report scams and fraud in South Korea, including where you can get victim support.
Scam Statistics in South Korea
The key statistics on online fraud in South Korea, according to the Global Anti-Scam Alliance.
| 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
| Population | 51.47 million | 51.71 million | 52 Million | 52 million |
| Internet Penetration | 95.1% | 96.1% | 95% | 96% |
| # of Scams | 208,605 | 174,328 | ||
| Scams / 1,000 | 4.0 | 3.37 | ||
| Money Lost | € 388 million | € 214.17 million | ||
| Money Lost / Capita | € 7,49 | € 4.14 | ||
| Money Lost / Report | € 1,858 | € 1,227.3 |
The figures in the table will differ strongly per year as various sources have been used, pending on availability.
Where Can I Report a Scam in South Korea?
- Korean National Police Agency (KNP) - Report any online scam or fraud to the police at your nearest police station.
- Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA): KISA is a government agency in South Korea that handles internet security and cybercrime issues. You can report online scams to them.
- Electronic Crime and Report Management System- You can report any cybercrime here as this is the integrated system for reporting online scams and fraud.
- Korea Communications Commission (KCC): KCC is a regulatory authority that oversees communication services in South Korea. They may be involved in addressing online scams related to communication services.
How to Report a Scam in South Korea
Reporting a scam is crucial. At the moment, only 7% of all scams are reported. As a result, only 0.05% of all cybercriminals are caught. Reporting online fraud is not only essential if you want to try and get your money back. It is also needed to help law enforcement fight scammers better.
- Gather info: Collect all information about the suspected fraud including the name, telephone, key web pages, emails, IP address, and any other information relevant. This is needed to file a complete report.
- Report the incident: Always report to your local law enforcement and note the file number they might provide for your fraud report for future reference.
- Stop the Money: Report the incident to the financial institution that transferred the money such as your bank, Paypal, credit card company, or the Internet payment service provider.
- Protect yourself: Scammers often contact you again. Sometimes with the same scam. Sometimes to help you “recover your money”. Consider changing your email address/phone number. Also, install the ScamAdviser browser extension to warn you of scams.
Our article “How and Where to Report a Scam” gives you more detail and tips on how you can best report online fraud.
Scam Victim Support in South Korea
We are unaware of any scam victim support in South Korea. You can consult with a local licensed therapist, counselor, or psychologist who specializes in trauma or Crime victims.
How to check for a scam in South Korea
Of course, you can always check for scams on ScamAdviser.com. However, there are several other sources where you can check if a website is registered as a company and if it can offer financial, gambling, or other regulated services.
- Cybercrime Bureau- This is a product of the KNP and people can check for all manner of online scams and fraud here.
- The Cheat- Opened in 2006 is a platform where consumers can check for scams. Scam victims can report 10 types of information such as the fraudster's name, ID, account number, and cell phone number to prevent other consumers from being scammed.
- The Financial Services Commission (FSC)- You can check for financial-related scams and fraud here as they regulate the financial markets.
Anti-Scam Organizations & Consumer Authorities
- The Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA). Apart from strengthening the
competitiveness of the Internet in Korea, they also develop and spread information regarding online security.
Scam News From South Korea
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- ScamAdviser App - iOS : Your personal scam detector, on the go! Check website safety, report scams, and get instant alerts. Available on iOS
- ScamAdviser App - Android : Your personal scam detector, on the go! Check website safety, report scams, and get instant alerts. Available on Android.
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