{
  "id": 3191895,
  "title": "Police bust China-based phishing ring with local police",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/police-bust-china-based-phishing-ring-with-local-police",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-25T05:22:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/law-crime/20260825/police-bust-china-based-phishing-ring-with-local-police"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "CHUNCHEON — Police in South Korea and China have successfully dismantled a China-based phishing ring, apprehending suspects accused of defrauding more than 10 billion won ($7.23 million) from 118 Korean victims, primarily the elderly, between January and March 2025. The Gangwon Provincial Police Agency revealed that the suspects, six Koreans and four Chinese nationals, allegedly deceived their targets by claiming their names were on fraudulent cards, installing malicious apps on their phones to monitor calls while they tried to contact authorities. The undercover operation, a joint effort between Korean and Chinese police, uncovered voice phishing call centers managed by the suspects, who pretended to be card delivery drivers, security staff from the card company, police officers, officials from the Financial Supervisory Service, and even prosecutors. Evidence collected during the investigation included mobile phones and other digital devices. The Korean suspects have been handed over to prosecutors for further legal proceedings.",
  "summary": "CHUNCHEON — Six Korean and four Chinese nationals suspected of running a China-based phishing ring have been apprehended in China by a joint police team of the two countries, police officials here said Tuesday. The suspects are accused of defrauding approximately 10 billion won ($7.23 million) from 118 Koreans, mainly those in their 60s and older, between January 2025 and March of this year,…",
  "key_points": [
    "South Korean and Chinese police jointly dismantle China-based phishing ring.",
    "Suspects accused of defrauding 118 Korean victims, totaling over 10 billion won.",
    "Operation uncovers voice phishing call centers managed by suspects."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The dismantling of the phishing ring marks a significant win for cross-border law enforcement cooperation, depriving scammers of a key channel to target vulnerable populations in South Korea.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yonhap News",
        "title": "Police bust China-based phishing ring with local police",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/police-bust-china-based-phishing-ring-with-local-police-3193792",
        "published": "2026-08-25T04:37:44.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Police bust China-based phishing ring with local police",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/police-bust-china-based-phishing-ring-with-local-police-3193296",
        "published": "2026-08-25T05:27:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}