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Police Raid 40+ Agencies in Probe of 'Revenge-for-Hire' Data Leak Ring

From Hankyoreh · (5m ago) Korean Critical tone

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Police have raided approximately 40 government agencies and financial institutions as part of an investigation into a group suspected of leaking personal information for "private revenge" crimes.
  • The investigation aims to uncover the higher-ups and clients involved in the "revenge-for-hire" scheme, as well as the methods used to obtain personal data.
  • The group allegedly obtained victims' addresses by posing as customer service agents for a food delivery app, leading to charges including invasion of privacy and criminal organization.

Authorities are intensifying their crackdown on a sophisticated criminal network that allegedly facilitated "private revenge" acts by exploiting personal data. Following the arrest and referral of several individuals involved in acts like throwing human waste and spray-painting properties, the police have expanded their investigation, conducting extensive raids on numerous government bodies and financial institutions across the country.

The scope of these raids, targeting around 40 entities including ministries like the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and the National Health Insurance Service, as well as numerous banks, telecommunication companies, and delivery services, underscores the depth of the alleged data breach. The objective is to trace the flow of information, identify the masterminds behind the operation, and understand how sensitive personal details were compromised.

This investigation highlights a disturbing trend where personal information, often obtained through seemingly innocuous channels like food delivery app customer service, is weaponized for malicious purposes. The suspects allegedly infiltrated these platforms to acquire victims' addresses, enabling them to carry out acts of intimidation and vandalism. This method of operation points to a calculated and organized criminal enterprise.

The police are pursuing charges that include invasion of privacy, property damage, intimidation, and criminal organization against the apprehended individuals. Furthermore, senior police officials have indicated that those who commissioned these acts of revenge could also face charges as accomplices or instigators, potentially including charges related to the formation of a criminal organization. This broad approach signals a determination to dismantle the entire network, from the perpetrators to the clients.

Those who commissioned these acts of revenge could be considered accomplices or instigators, and charges related to the formation of a criminal organization could also be applied.

โ€” Park Jeong-bo, Head of Seoul Metropolitan Police AgencyExplaining the potential charges for clients who commissioned the revenge acts.
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Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.