Sahmyook University issues warning over impersonation scam targeting vendors

Sahmyook University is sounding the alarm over a sophisticated scam operation that is targeting external vendors by impersonating university faculty and staff. This isn't just a minor nuisance; it's a calculated attempt to defraud businesses by leveraging the university's name and reputation. The perpetrators are using forged documents, including business cards and official-looking proposals, to make their fraudulent schemes appear legitimate, requesting advance payments for goods and services.

The frequency and audacity of these scams are escalating, with reports of two to three incidents daily. The scammers are becoming increasingly bold, even going so far as to propose in-person meetings and mention specific university officials by name to build trust. This level of detail is designed to deceive unsuspecting businesses into believing these are official university transactions, leading to potential financial losses.

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If you receive a suspicious contact, you should never provide personal or work-related information to outsiders.

Sahmyook University, through The Hankyoreh, wants to make it unequivocally clear: the university never demands upfront payments from external companies for contract processing. We urge all businesses to exercise extreme caution. Any suspicious communication, especially requests for advance funds or the presentation of dubious documentation, should be immediately verified through the university's official channels. Sahmyook University is committed to cooperating fully with law enforcement to apprehend those responsible and prevent further victims. This is not merely a matter of financial loss for businesses; it's an attack on the integrity of our institution and the trust placed in us by our partners.

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If approached with forged business cards or contracts, please verify the authenticity through the university's official departments.