A new scam using BTS’s upcoming Gwanghwamun concert as bait has recently been reported in Korea.
According to police, a phishing attempt was reported through the National Police Agency’s Cybercrime Reporting System after a scammer allegedly impersonated fire authorities and attempted to pressure a business owner into purchasing equipment.
The victim, a man in his 40s who operates a lodging business in Seoul’s Jongno District, said he received a phone call and text message from an unidentified man claiming that fire safety inspections had been strengthened due to the upcoming BTS concert.
The message included what appeared to be an official emergency document bearing the seal of the National Fire Agency commissioner, along with a business card identifying the sender as a fire administration official from the Seoul Fire & Disaster Headquarters.
The document claimed that lodging businesses were now required to install a “small-space automatic fire suppression device” due to changes in fire safety regulations. It also stated that government subsidies would be provided after installation. The man reportedly told the business owner that the equipment could not be purchased normally and had to be bought through a specific company designated by authorities.
Believing the request to be legitimate, the business owner transferred ₩1.00 million KRW (about $677 USD) to purchase two devices priced at ₩500,000 KRW (about $338 USD) each. Shortly afterward, the scammer transferred ₩1.20 million KRW (about $812 USD) back to the victim, claiming it was a government subsidy reimbursement.
However, the situation escalated when the man later asked the victim to help purchase 10 lithium-ion battery fire extinguishers. When the business owner reported the price to him, ₩2.98 million KRW (about $2,020 USD) per unit, the scammer suggested purchasing all ten first, claiming there was a budget of ₩3.50 million KRW (about $2,370 USD)per unit and promising to pay ₩35.0 million KRW (about $23,700 USD) later.
Growing suspicious of the request, the victim contacted the Seoul Fire & Disaster Headquarters, where officials confirmed that no employee with the name used by the scammer worked there.Because the victim did not make any additional payments, no further financial damage occurred.
Police have since received the report and stated they will review the materials to determine whether the case constitutes a criminal offense.
Police report.
The incident comes as authorities are already preparing for large crowds expected at BTS’s March 21 concert at Gwanghwamun Square, with police warning the public to remain cautious about potential scam