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Beware of Forged Official Documents Impersonating the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety as Damage Cases Also Occur in Busan

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Busan Metropolitan City, under Acting Mayor Kim Kyung-duk, urged food business operators across the city to exercise extra caution following recent fraud cases in which forged official documents impersonating the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety were used to coerce the purchase of food sanitation-related products.

The impersonation scheme falsely claims that revisions to the Food Sanitation Act require businesses to mandatorily purchase equipment such as sanitation contamination measuring devices (ATP meters) and thermohygrometers, while directing victims to purchase the products from designated companies and make payments.

The fraud was carried out by sending forged official documents via fax, text message, and email with altered names of officials, inspection dates, and contact information. Authorities determined that the targets initially focused on food manufacturing and processing facilities and livestock product processing businesses, but have since expanded to include certain food service establishments and meat retail businesses.

The perpetrators also threatened businesses by claiming they could face administrative penalties for failing to possess the equipment, while additionally inducing payments by promising future reimbursements. Actual fraud cases have occurred in Busan, including confirmed financial losses suffered by a livestock product processing facility within the city.

The city emphasized that government agencies never force businesses to purchase specific products, request payments by phone or text message, or designate specific suppliers. It warned that documents containing personal mobile phone numbers or requesting contracts and payments by telephone are highly likely to be fraudulent and advised businesses to immediately cease responding and verify the matter with relevant authorities.

In addition, the city requested that any suspicious cases be immediately reported to the police. Relevant information has also been promptly shared with district offices, counties, and food-related associations, along with requests for cooperation in preventing fraud within the industry.

Busan Metropolitan City plans to continue strengthening preventive guidance against similar fraud schemes in cooperation with related organizations.

Kim Kyung-duk, Acting Mayor of Busan Metropolitan City, stated, “As actual fraud cases have already occurred due to forged official documents impersonating the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, we strongly urge food business operators to exercise heightened caution. If you receive suspicious official documents or requests for money, please verify the matter with relevant authorities and respond proactively to prevent any losses.”