Arrested: Two Chinese Citizens for Involvement in KT Hacking Swindle
South Korean Police Arrest Two Chinese Nationals in Connection with Hacking Scheme
In a series of announcements made by the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency, it has been confirmed that South Korean authorities have apprehended two Chinese nationals in connection with a hacking scheme that targeted KT subscribers.
The first arrest was made on Wednesday afternoon, with a 48-year-old suspect being taken into custody in Seoul on charges of violating the Information and Communications Network Act and computer fraud. The day before, a 44-year-old Chinese national was captured at Incheon Airport.
The hacking scheme, which took place between late August and early September, used "fake base stations" set up in a van around Seoul and its surrounding cities. The suspects intercepted mobile phone signals to hack into KT users' devices and carry out unauthorized small payments, including purchasing mobile gift certificates and recharging transportation cards.
As a result of the hacking scheme, authorities have confirmed 199 cases of fraudulent transactions, amounting to a total of 126 million won ($92,000) in identified losses. The police are continuing to investigate to determine the full extent of the operation.
The system breach, reported as the first such incident in South Korea, targeted KT subscribers and saw the suspects using the fake base stations to defraud them. The search results do not provide information about the name of the second Chinese national arrested in connection with the case.
The hacking scandal comes as a concern for South Korean authorities, who are working to ensure the security of their citizens' personal and financial information. The police are urging KT subscribers to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
The announcements were made on Wednesday, and the police are continuing their investigation to bring those responsible for the hacking scheme to justice.
