Police declare crackdown on 'no-show' scams

This photo shows 50 servings of pork bulgogi that were ordered and then no-showed by a person impersonating a military official. Captured from 'It Hurts to Be a Boss'

Police have launched an intensive crackdown on the rising numbers of "no-show" scammers impersonating military service members, politicians and celebrities, the Korean National Police Agency (KNPA) said Tuesday.

No-show scam refers to the fraudulent scheme where perpetrators make reservations for goods and services, usually under a false identity or pretext, but do not show up, leading to financial losses for small businesses, like restaurants.

The KNPA said it has designated the Gangwon Provincial Police Agency's phishing crime investigation unit to lead the nationwide crackdown on no-show scams, considering they are cyber-based crimes like phishing or investment fraud.

The KNPA also said it has set the period until June 30 as a special surrender period for no-show scammers, adding suspects turning themselves in to the police during the period will be punished leniently.

The agency speculates that recent no-show scams involving criminals posing as politicians appear to have been mainly carried out via call centers in Southeast Asia. It asked business owners to double-check by contacting the relevant public institutions or politicians if they receive an order that appears to be a no-show scam.

"Business owners should always be aware that any orders placed in a non-face-to-face way could be fake," a police officer said.