Voice phishing crimes drop 40 pct thanks to tougher measures

SEOUL, Sept. 2 (Yonhap) -- Voice phishing crimes witnessed a significant 40 percent decrease from the previous year between October and July, thanks to a series of stringent measures implemented by the government, according to the prime minister's office. Formed in August 2025, an anti-voice phishing task force spearheaded the efforts to combat the crime through various tactics, including emergency blocking of phone numbers utilized in such scams, deploying an AI-based warning system, and enhancing international cooperation.

The effects of these measures started becoming apparent in October when the number of voice phishing cases dropped by 32.8 percent year-on-year to 1,226, following a consistent rise in September of the prior year. This downward trend persisted for ten consecutive months, ending in July. Consequently, the total number of voice phishing cases between October and July saw a 39.9 percent reduction year-on-year, falling to 12,554.

Moreover, the financial losses stemming from these crimes experienced a 43.2 percent decline, amounting to 632.4 billion won (US$462.5 million), as reported by the office.