Busan police arrested 24 people, including an advertising agency representative identified as A 씨, for orchestrating a massive fake review operation [1].
The crackdown highlights the growing vulnerability of trust-based verification systems on portal sites, where receipt-based reviews are typically viewed as more authentic than standard ratings.
According to the Busan Police Cyber Investigation Division, the group purchased stolen internet accounts to bypass security and authenticity checks [1]. They used these accounts to post approximately 28,000 fabricated receipt-based reviews [1]. The primary goal was to artificially inflate the exposure rankings of client businesses, specifically targeting hospitals and restaurants [1].
Investigators said the scheme was effective in manipulating search algorithms. Some of the fraudulent posts were viewed hundreds of times per day [2]. By boosting the visibility of these clients, the agency and its accomplices allegedly earned roughly 1.9 billion KRW [1].
Law enforcement officials said they moved quickly to secure the financial gains of the operation. Police seized about 1.7 billion KRW, which represents 93% of the total crime proceeds, before the indictment process began [2].
A 씨 was taken into custody as the primary suspect in the ring [1]. The investigation continues as police examine the full extent of the stolen account network used to facilitate the fraud [1].
“The group bought stolen internet accounts and posted about 28,000 fabricated receipt‑based reviews.”
This case demonstrates a sophisticated evolution in digital fraud where bad actors target 'verified' review systems to deceive consumers. By using stolen accounts and fake receipts, the syndicate exploited the high level of trust users place in receipt-verified content, suggesting that current authentication methods on major portal sites may be insufficient to stop organized crime.
