Nationwide Impersonation Fraud Targets Small Businesses
Changwon, South Korea — A fraudulent scheme impersonating celebrities is sweeping the nation, posing a significant threat to self-employed individuals and small businesses. This "no-show" scam involves scammers posing as entertainment agency employees, claiming to make substantial reservations, and requesting advance payments for expensive goods.
On October 8, a self-employed restaurant owner in Changwon received a call from someone claiming to be associated with singer Nam Jin’s agency. The caller requested a reservation for 20 people for an upcoming concert and suggested a deferred payment policy, triggering the restaurant owner’s acceptance. The following day, the impersonator demanded an advance payment of 4.7 million won for high-priced liquor, claiming it was necessary for the concert staff. After initially resisting, the restaurant owner complied, only to find the fraudster unreachable on the scheduled day, receiving only a text message canceling the dinner.
Local police have reported multiple similar complaints, with businesses deceived by impersonators of various celebrities, including actor Nam Goong-min and singer Song Ga-in. Their agencies have issued warnings about these fraudulent activities, stressing the need for vigilance among small business owners.
Adding to the complexity, cases have emerged where scammers impersonate government and military personnel, highlighting a broader trend of organized crime potentially operating from overseas. Authorities advise anyone approached for prepayments to verify requests through official channels and report suspicious activities immediately.
As this scheme continues to unfold, experts urge businesses to stay alert and protect themselves from these deceitful practices, emphasizing the need for community awareness in combating such fraud.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
