A disturbing trend of scammers impersonating officials from the South Korean Embassy and Consulates has emerged across North America, causing alarm within Korean communities. What initially surfaced in the United States has now aggressively spread throughout Canada, with a notable increase in reported cases in Vancouver.

The Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Vancouver has issued a stark warning following a significant rise in fraudulent activities. On March 12th, the consulate reported three separate phishing attempts in a single day, coinciding with the publication of a security advisory on their official website.

Sophisticated Tactics Employed by Scammers

These scammers are employing increasingly sophisticated tactics, including caller ID spoofing to mimic the actual phone numbers of the consulates. They impersonate consulate staff or officials from various South Korean government agencies, demanding personal information under false pretenses. Particularly concerning are cases where they claim to be acting on behalf of law enforcement agencies such as the police, prosecutors, or the National Tax Service, coercing victims into divulging sensitive financial or personal details.

Consulate's Firm Stance Against Scams

In response to the escalating threat, the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Vancouver has reiterated its firm stance against such fraudulent practices. "Neither the South Korean nor the Canadian public institutions request personal information over the phone or online," the consulate emphasized. "If you receive such a request, do not respond and hang up immediately. Then, verify the request by contacting the relevant institution directly."

Recommendations for Victims

Individuals who have encountered financial scams impersonating overseas missions are urged to report the incidents to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Consular Call Center (+82-2-3210-0404) or the Vancouver Consulate General (604-681-9581). Victims are also strongly advised to file a report with their local police and the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security promptly.