Investment offers and romance scams: Police warn of con artists exploiting Middle East war
Published: 23 Mar. 2026, 17:42
Updated: 23 Mar. 2026, 19:09
![Text messages advertising investment opportunities linked to the Middle East conflict are shown in this image provided by the National Police Agency as examples of rising scams. [NATIONAL POLICE AGENCY]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2026/03/23/ad33438e-d8c1-482d-8acc-701c37f3a495.jpg)
Text messages advertising investment opportunities linked to the Middle East conflict are shown in this image provided by the National Police Agency as examples of rising scams. [NATIONAL POLICE AGENCY]
Scammers are using fake investment offers, flight alerts and romance ploys to exploit the war in the Middle East, police said Monday.
The Korean National Police Agency’s integrated response team for telecom fraud issued a nationwide alert Monday, urging vigilance against phishing — a type of online or phone scam used to steal personal or financial information.
Reports to the 1394 hotline revealed three main scam patterns tied to the crisis: stock investments, travel messages and donation schemes.
One involves so-called investment advisory chat rooms, where scammers promise high returns and guaranteed principal by citing rising oil prices and gains in defense-related stocks. Victims are then directed to sign up for fake trading platforms.
Another tactic uses text messages about flight cancellations or rebookings due to airspace restrictions in the Middle East. These messages aim to steal personal and payment information through malicious links.
Police also identified romance scams in which perpetrators pose as soldiers or doctors based in the region, as well as schemes offering free materials on international affairs or soliciting donations under the guise of humanitarian aid.
Authorities warned that variations impersonating government programs, such as fuel cost refunds or small business loans, could also emerge.
Police said they are working to block phone numbers and website addresses used in scams before they lead to financial losses.
“Scammers are using people’s goodwill during international crises as a tool for crime,” said Shin Hyo-seop, head of the task force. “The best defense is to never click on links from unverified messages.”
Authorities urged the public to be wary of investment offers that guarantee returns and to verify airline-related information through official channels.
Suspected phishing cases should be reported to the police hotline at 1394 or to 112.
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY KO SEUNG-PYO [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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