Watch Out for NIS Caller ID

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) says that many cases of fraud and crime are committed by people posing as NIS officials, which requires the special attention of the public.

The NIS announced that 110 such cases have been reported since 2004: (17cases in 2004, 45 in 2005, 48 in 2006.) The number is rising every year, with 27 cases as of late May 2007.

According to the NIS, most of the predators pretend to be NIS officials using caller identification (Caller ID) services.

According to a press release from the NIS, an executive of a civic organization made a phone call with his mobile phone that showed on caller ID as being from the NIS. The caller in his 50’s identified himself as a director of the NIS and threatened the call recipient by saying that, “I knew that you played golf in Southeast Asia unknown to your family. Do what I want you to do. Otherwise, I will tell the truth to your family and acquaintances, ruining your career.”

The NIS said, “The NIS never makes a phone call showing our ID in the phone. Report such calls to the NIS in case you receive one.”

taewon_ha@donga.com