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법률칼럼Legal InsightForeigner2026. 07. 14

[Lawyer Consultant Near Me] Arrested for Voice Phishing in Korea? What Foreign Nationals Should Know

Hello, This is Majung Law Firm , an international lawyer team dedicated to helping foreign nationals living in Korea. Ma

썸네일

Hello,

This is Majung Law Firm, an international lawyer team dedicated to helping foreign nationals living in Korea.

Many people searching for a lawyer consultant near me contact us after saying the same thing:

"I only transferred the money."
"I thought it was just a part-time job."
"I didn't know it was related to voice phishing."

Unfortunately, situations like these happen more often than many people realize.

i
A voice phishing investigation involving a foreign national is not simply a criminal matter. In many cases, criminal proceedings and an Immigration Offender Review begin at the same time, meaning both your criminal liability and your immigration status may be reviewed together.

If you're looking for a lawyer consultant near me or an international lawyer, understanding how these cases are evaluated in Korea is the first step.


CONTENTS
Contents
1.
How Foreign Nationals Become Involved in Voice Phishing Cases
2.
Criminal Liability and Possible Penalties
3.
How Korean Authorities Evaluate Money Couriers
4.
Immigration Consequences for Foreign Nationals
5.
Why Early Legal Preparation Matters

1. How Foreign Nationals Become Involved in Voice Phishing Cases

Voice phishing cases involving foreign nationals often focus not only on whether someone directly committed fraud, but also on whether they participated in the movement of money.

Even if someone did not speak with victims directly, actions such as:

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• Providing a bank account
• Transferring money
• Delivering cash

may still lead investigators to consider that person a participant in the crime.

Because many voice phishing organizations operate through structured criminal groups, different people perform different roles.

Some foreign nationals become involved believing they are simply accepting a temporary job or helping someone with a financial transaction.

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However, participating without fully understanding the situation does not automatically prevent criminal responsibility.

Making statements before fully understanding the structure of the case may also result in your role being misunderstood.

This is one reason many foreign nationals begin searching for a lawyer consultant near me or an international lawyer immediately after learning they are under investigation.

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2. Criminal Liability and Possible Penalties

Voice phishing offenses are generally prosecuted as fraud under Korean criminal law.

Depending on the amount involved, the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes may also apply.

When determining criminal responsibility, investigators may review:

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• Whether the participation was repeated
• The amount of money involved
• Whether the activity was organized
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Depending on these factors, penalties may become significantly more serious.

Understanding where your actions fall within the overall investigation is an important part of preparing your defense.

Many foreign nationals therefore seek advice from an international lawyer before responding to investigators.

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3. How Korean Authorities Evaluate Money Couriers

One of the most important issues in these cases is whether someone is considered a money courier or cash collector.

Money couriers generally transfer funds between different locations or accounts.

Cash collectors physically receive or collect money.

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Investigators often view these roles as part of the execution stage of an organized crime.

Simply saying,

"I didn't know."

may not be enough.

Investigators may also examine:

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• Communication records
• Bank transactions
• Cash transfers
• Mobile phone messages
• Other objective evidence

Because these materials are reviewed together, early legal guidance from a lawyer consultant near me or an international lawyer may help organize the facts accurately before important statements are made.

4. Criminal Cases May Also Affect Your Immigration Status

For foreign nationals, a voice phishing case often continues even after the criminal proceedings.

An Immigration Offender Review may follow.

During this review, immigration authorities may consider not only the criminal judgment but also:

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• Your immigration status
• Your family relationships
• Employment stability
• Your overall circumstances in Korea
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When imprisonment or more serious criminal penalties are imposed, maintaining your immigration status may become more difficult.

Because criminal proceedings and immigration procedures move together, both should be considered from the beginning.

Many people searching for a lawyer consultant near me do so because they realize their visa may also be affected.

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5. Why Early Legal Preparation Matters

Legal consultation is not simply about understanding the law.

It is also about preparing an appropriate strategy.

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In many voice phishing investigations, an important issue is whether there is sufficient evidence to explain your actual role and level of knowledge.

Useful materials may include:

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• Records explaining how the transactions occurred
• Communication records and messages
• Bank account information
• Documents explaining how any payments were received

These materials help organize the facts of the case and reduce misunderstandings during both the criminal investigation and the Immigration Offender Review.

How Majung Law Firm Helps Foreign Nationals

At Majung Law Firm, our international lawyer team provides comprehensive legal support for foreign nationals facing both criminal investigations and immigration issues.

Our strengths include:

WHY MAJUNG?
How Majung Law Firm Helps Foreign Nationals
✅ Former Immigration Office Investigation Division Attorney
✅ Korean Bar Association Certified Immigration, Visa & Refugee Lawyers
✅ Korean Bar Association Certified Criminal, Family & Workers' Compensation Lawyers
✅ English-speaking legal consultations
✅ Online video consultations available for clients inside and outside Korea

Our team reviews both the criminal investigation and the immigration process together so that clients can better understand the risks affecting their stay in Korea.


Don't Wait Until It's Too Late

A voice phishing investigation involving a foreign national is not simply a fraud case.

It may also affect your immigration status through an Immigration Offender Review.

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Because your first statements, supporting documents, and legal strategy may all influence the outcome, early preparation is extremely important.

If you are searching for a lawyer consultant near me or an international lawyer after becoming involved in a voice phishing investigation in Korea, understanding the legal process early can help you make informed decisions.

At Majung Law Firm, we are committed to helping foreign nationals understand both the criminal process and the immigration procedures so they can prepare the most appropriate response for their individual circumstances.

Thank you.

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