Korean Job Discussion Forums

[rchristo10]

Two days ago I was called on the phone by a computer voice message stating that it was the Korean Immigration Services. It explained in a round about way that my passport number was being illegally used and that immigration needed my verification to solve this problem. Then the system prompted me to stay online until I'm connected with an officer.

The officer was a person, not a machine. He spoke with a Chinese-Korean accent that was so thick that it was initially too difficult for me to make out what exactly he was saying. I thought this odd, but I also know that immigration does hire non-nationals to help them. So, I just stayed on the line. I asked him what the problem was and he repeated verbatim that my passport information was being illegally used and that I should tell him if it is true or not. He prompted me to say my name to check the system. My name is 25 or so characters long, so I asked if he could just use my alien registration number. He didn't want this and said he didn't need me to spell out my name. He told me that if I just say my full name, then the system will be able to look it up. I did, but again I was feeling a bit odd. (I was thinking that maybe Immigration is using Shiri)

He then read off a litany of undecipherable garble with an accent so harsh that it was difficult to make out the nouns and verbs. Then said would you like to report this as an illegal usage of passport and prompted me to say "yes." So I did. Then he hung up after saying that an officer would call me later with more information.

Ten or so minutes later, a woman called me. She also had an accent, but I could make out what she was saying much better. She explained that someone was trying to use my passport information for banking and other purposes and that she was with the police office and needed to ask me more information. She asked what bank I use. I thought this a bit strange, but I said Woori Bank. Then she went on to prompt for more information. And, I felt very odd and immediately asked her, why she needed to know more about my account if someone is trying to use my passport to open up another account. She immediately hung up.

I called the Immigration Office and they informed me that it was most likely voice phishing. The number that these people were calling me with started with +00....and immigration said that often these numbers are untraceable and part of such scheme operations. They also told me to call 118 to report such scams.

Just trying to give everyone the heads up. I feel really horrible that they got my alien registration number and my name. But I don't think there's much they can do with that information.

The bigger question for me is how this whole operation happened. How did they even know that I'm a foreigner and get my phone number? Don't want to start another Plame Affair, but I do wonder if the Korean Immigration Security has been breached. (Kinda doubt this too, being that they didn't seem to have my alien registration number) Any other ideas?

If you think this isn't a big deal click the Korean-English translated report link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9uqYW5XRTQ

If you do fall victim to such a scam in Korea, you can pretty much rule out getting help.

[HANGRY]

Thanks for letting us know. It's good that you had a good head on your shoulders and didn't give any more information than you did. Hopefully, no harm will come of it.

[soomin]

Wow! How scary! Thanks for the heads-up and good luck!

As for how they got your number, they probably just call random numbers or have a machine that calls and calls waiting for a "hello." Or at least, I hope so? O.O

[rchristo10]

[Son Deureo!]

Something similar happened to me. Someone called me claiming to be from the police, telling me that I was a victim of identity theft and I would need to "report" it on their web site. He directed me to a pretty slick looking "police" web site, and told me what link to click on to report the fraud, which included a space for my Alien Registration number and banking information. I told him I'd get right on it and hung up.

When I called the police myself to confirm what was going on (FYI - they used a 3-way call with the KNTO to interpret), they told me it was definitely phishing and that the police would never ask for that information. When I tried to report the phishing incident to them, offering the phone number of the scammers and the web address they were referring me to, the cops said there was no crime to report since I didn't actually give them any information.

[Nismo]

[Who's Your Daddy?]

If immi ever calls, hang up.

[YTMND]

I would just schedule an appointment to go in and then forget about it.

Another thing you could do is if they are immigration, they would know where you worked and the employer's name. If they did have that, then ask them what the employer's phone number is and to call them.

[pegasus64128]

[rchristo10]

[fosterman]

if I don't know you, I just hang up!
I dont care who you tell me you are.
if its really that urgent they will ring back a few more times.
they never do

[nicwr2002]

As far as them knowing you are a foreigner would be pretty easy since your phone is registered with your name. That's probably where they got it from, just like in the states when telemarketers call you. They didn't hack any government website, just probably bought a list of names with phone numbers the way telemarketers do.

[PeteJB]

Immi never discuss things like that over the phone, they'll call you in for a visit.

[bobbybigfoot]

Do people not get it yet? Don't give ANY information to ANYONE calling randomly.

[rchristo10]