Voice phishing crimes are becoming increasingly sophisticated by impersonating public institutions such as the prosecution, police, and Financial Supervisory Service. Amid this rise, experts emphasize the importance of immediately hanging up and verifying suspicious calls through separate channels.
Professor Hwang Seong-hyun of the Department of Police Studies at Korea Cyber University stated, voice phishing prevention relies heavily on understanding that scams are designed to control the victim’s decision-making environment rather than just tricking them with information. He advised hanging up and directly checking through saved numbers or the official institutional contact.
According to Professor Hwang, institution-impersonating voice phishing cases surged from 3,384 in 2016 to 13,323 in 2025. Total damages in 2025 reached 1.2578 trillion won, with 78.6% stemming from institution impersonation.
Criminals typically impersonate prosecutors or investigators, creating fear and time pressure by claiming that a victim’s name was used in a crime or that immediate action is needed to avoid arrest. They also demand that victims keep the situation secret from family members or trick them into installing malicious apps that intercept calls to financial institutions.
Other major tactics include messenger phishing, smishing disguised as courier deliveries, wedding invitations, or obituaries, and cash delivery scams under the guise of employment or side jobs. Recently, artificial intelligence voice synthesis and deepfakes have made it even easier for scammers to impersonate family members or institutional officials.
Key Prevention Principles
Professor Hwang recommended several core prevention principles: hang up and verify directly through the institution’s official number, inform a third party if asked for money, treat phrases like ‘right now’ and ‘keep it secret’ as warning signals, and avoid clicking unverified links or downloading unknown apps.
Comprehensive Support for Victims
Emphasizing the importance of victim support, Professor Hwang noted that asking ‘Why did you fall for it?’ is the most harmful reaction. He stressed the need for a one-stop support system that quickly connects victims to reporting, account suspension, refund procedures, and psychological counseling.
