This photo, provided by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on Thursday, shows a Korean-Thai joint operation to bust a voice phishing ring in Bangkok. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency
Police said Thursday they have busted a Thailand-based voice phishing ring that allegedly swindled 6.7 billion won ($4.73 million) from 68 victims in Korea last year.
Eleven members of the phishing ring, including its 29-year-old Korean leader, have been apprehended and referred to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office, with nine of them put under arrest, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.
The police also took measures to freeze 157 million won in criminal proceeds.
The suspects, all in their 20s and 30s, are accused of impersonating Financial Supervisory Service and prosecution officials to demand and obtain nude photos from victims between May and December last year, producing sexual exploitation materials using the photos, and extorting about 6.7 billion won by demanding deposits purportedly for victim compensation.
