Police catch 27 members of voice phishing, drug trafficking crime ring

Police said Wednesday they caught 27 members of a voice phishing crime ring who are also accused of involvement in drug trafficking scams.

Police show drugs and phones confiscated from a voice phishing ring also accused of trafficking drugs in Korea at Dongdaemun Police Station in eastern Seoul on Wednesday. [YONHAP]

Police said Wednesday they caught 27 members of a voice phishing crime ring who are also accused of involvement in drug trafficking scams. Among them, 17 suspects, including the head of the crime ring based in Korea, have been arrested, according to the Dongdaemun Police Precinct.

Police said this marks the first time they have apprehended a voice phishing crime ring also engaged in drug trafficking.

The voice phishing ring was formed in May last year, and is accused of setting up and managing 580 repeaters, which are devices commonly used for phone scams to change calling numbers. Police have been investigating the case since last June.

The suspects allegedly pocketed approximately 1.1 billion won ($800,000) from 81 victims through voice phishing by using methods like impersonating investigating authorities.

Police also identified another head of the voice phishing ring as a Korean in their 30s currently based in the Philippines. The overseas head allegedly instructed the Korean head and other members to distribute drugs since last November. The suspects reportedly smuggled drugs from the Philippines and left them in designated locations for their online customers to retrieve.

Authorities have requested Interpol to issue a red notice for the overseas head.

Phones used in voice phishing scams. Police caught 27 members of a voice phishing crime ring, who are also accused of drug trafficking. [DONGDAEMUN POLICE PRECINCT]

The crime ring is accused of trafficking drugs worth 2.9 billion won, or 5.77 kilograms (12.7 pounds), including ecstasy and ketamine. Police said this amount could supply approximately 190,000 doses, assuming 0.03 grams per dose.

During the investigation, police confiscated 860 grams of methamphetamine, 1,193 grams of ketamine and 252 ecstasy pills, worth around 980 million won in total.

“Unlike in the past, purchasing drugs can now be done using non-face-to-face methods similar to voice phishing," police said, referring to the so-called throwing method where purchasers pick up drugs left at a designated place.

"This seems to be why such a case involving two different crimes has emerged."

BY CHO JUNG-WOO, SHIN HYE-YEON [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]