Taxi driver receives award for reporting voice phishing scam ring

Yang Yong-wook, center, poses at an award ceremony at the National Police Agency in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Dec. 5. Courtesy of Shinhan Financial Group

Yang Yong-wook, a taxi driver, received an award for catching a voice phishing ring member.

Organized by Shinhan Financial Group, National Police Agency and Good Neighbors, a private children’s rights group, the award is given to about 10 people every year for helping protect people's livelihoods. This year was the third annual event. They receive an award plaque and 3 million won ($2,279).

Yang called the police after becoming suspicious over a customer with a shopping bag full of cash who was unable to pinpoint his destination.

The person with the shopping bag did not know exactly where to get off, and wanted to stay in the cab, according to Yang. Thinking that the person be might be involved in some kind of criminal activity, the taxi driver called the police.

Yang said he was glad when the person was arrested.

“Financial crime is bad. The money must have been stolen from hard-working people who would never have thought they would become the victims of faceless crimes.”

Other than Yang, nine others received the award. Four were citizens like him that helped place voice phishing scammers in custody through making reports to police.

Five others were police officers involved in shuting down illegal crime rings, loan sharks and voice phishing scammers.

The 10 recipients received letters of appreciation and 3 million won at the ceremony held at the National Police Agency in Seodaemun District, Seoul on Dec. 5.

Shinhan Financial said the courageous actions of the recipients led to prevention of financial fraud, sparing hard-working ordinary people a great deal of pain.

Meanwhile, Shinhan Financial Group signed an agreement with the National Police Agency, July 21, aimed at protecting financial consumers and eradicating financial crimes.