Scammers impersonating the Food and Drug Safety Administration are targeting food manufacturers in South Korea by falsely claiming new regulations require specific equipment [1].
These fraudulent activities exploit the fear of regulatory non-compliance among small and medium-sized businesses. By threatening administrative action, the scammers pressure companies into making rapid financial decisions without verifying the claims with official government channels.
According to reports, the fraudsters contacted food manufacturers in several regions, including Daejeon, claiming that new laws mandated the purchase of temperature-measuring devices [1]. The scammers used a sophisticated approach, pretending to be officials from the Food Safety Management Division of the Daejeon regional office. In one recorded instance, a scammer told a victim they were calling to check if preparations for a food hygiene inspection were complete following an official document sent a month prior [2].
Once the victims were convinced of the urgency, the scammers connected them to equipment sellers and collected payments. If the business owners hesitated, the fraudsters threatened them with fines or administrative penalties [1]. This tactic successfully defrauded four companies [2], resulting in a total loss of 42 million won [2].
Government officials have moved to alert the public and business owners to these tactics. The Food and Drug Safety Administration said that it never issues official documents or requests regarding the mandatory purchase of specific devices.
"The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety never sends official documents related to the procurement of equipment," a spokesperson said [2].
Another official from the administration said that the agency does not request the purchase of specific items under any circumstances [2].
Authorities are urging food manufacturers to verify any unexpected requests for equipment purchases directly through official government portals or by calling the agency's verified phone numbers. The agency emphasized that regulatory updates are communicated through formal, transparent channels rather than high-pressure phone calls demanding immediate equipment acquisitions [1].
“The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety never sends official documents related to the procurement of equipment.”
This scam highlights a growing trend of 'regulatory phishing,' where criminals leverage the complexity of food safety laws to manipulate business owners. By mimicking the bureaucratic language of the Food and Drug Safety Administration, the scammers create a sense of urgency that bypasses standard corporate procurement checks. The focus on temperature-measuring devices suggests the scammers are targeting specific compliance gaps that food manufacturers are already sensitive to, making the fraud more believable.
