The South Korean Police are intensifying their efforts against phishing crimes by establishing a dedicated investigation division, announced during a recent government meeting. This move comes in response to the growing volume and complexity of phishing attacks in the country. Last year alone, the police apprehended over 22,000 phishing offenders, with financial losses totaling 447.2 billion won (US$337 million).
The new investigation division, to be housed under the National Office of Investigation, will assume responsibility for all voice phishing investigations currently handled by the economic and cyber crime units. Additionally, the division will receive a substantial increase in annual budget allocation, totaling 1.74 billion won, aimed at enhancing investigative capabilities and resources.
One of the key initiatives planned by the division is the implementation of a phishing crime warning system. This system will promptly alert individuals to potential voice phishing attempts by sending text messages whenever they receive communications from reported phone numbers associated with such crimes. The proactive measures taken by the South Korean Police underscore their commitment to combating the growing threat of phishing and protecting citizens from financial harm.
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