Press Release: Nationwide Celebrity Impersonation Fraud Grows Concern Among Local Businesses
Recent reports indicate a surge in celebrity impersonation fraud cases, particularly targeting self-employed individuals across South Korea, notably in Changwon. This alarming trend involves scammers posing as representatives from entertainment agencies, making large reservation requests for events, and demanding upfront payments before disappearing.
A meat restaurant owner in Changwon fell victim to this scam after receiving a call from someone claiming to be an employee of singer Nam Jin’s agency. The caller requested a reservation for 20 people following Nam Jin’s concert and insisted on a sizeable advance payment for expensive alcoholic beverages. After initially hesitating, the owner paid approximately 4.7 million won, only to discover the “employee” had vanished, leaving him with a text message that canceled the reservation.
The Changwon Jungbu Police Station has noted multiple complaints from local business owners regarding similar scams, warning that this issue extends beyond just Nam Jin. Notable agencies, including 935 Entertainment and JG Star, have both issued alerts concerning fraudulent requests from impersonators posing as their staff. Additionally, Baro Entertainment has reported similar incidents, emphasizing that criminals frequently target small businesses with requests for upfront payments for goods and services related to celebrity events.
Authorities caution that such fraudulent activities may be organized operations potentially linked to international crime networks. The police are urging anyone who suspects fraudulent behavior, particularly requests for prepayment for orders, to report the incidents immediately.
This worrying trend highlights the need for vigilance among local businesses and communities. As this type of fraud continues to escalate, police remain committed to addressing and mitigating its impact.
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