Celebrity Impersonation Scams: Protect Your Restaurant Business

On October 20, comedian Park MyungSoo attended a press conference for JTBC’s "My Name is Gabriel." He addressed the media about alarming celebrity impersonation scams targeting restaurants. In these scams, individuals pose as celebrities like Park MyungSoo and Kang DongWon to secure fraudulent reservations. These actions cause significant financial losses for businesses.

One troubling incident involved a restaurant that received a call claiming Park MyungSoo would attend a company dinner. The caller requested expensive wine. The restaurant owner, initially hesitant, accepted the reservation. Later, the scammer sent a fake business card. Upon realizing the potential loss of 3 million won, the owner wisely avoided the scam.

In another case in Gyeongnam, a man impersonated actor Kang DongWon’s film crew. He requested a lavish order of wine and whiskey. Unfortunately, the restaurant fell victim to this scheme, resulting in a loss of about 3 million won. A similar incident in Suwon involved someone claiming to be a producer from SBS’s "Running Man." This impersonator requested whiskey for a corporate gathering, leading to a loss of 3.9 million won.

These incidents expose scammers’ typical tactics. They often use the names of well-known celebrities to demand luxury items. Scammers utilize forged business cards and manipulate bank accounts for payments. The financial impact on small business owners has been severe, as many face unexpected losses without prior warning of cancellation.

Agencies representing various celebrities, including Byeon WooSeok and Lim YoungWoong, have issued warnings about these scams. They assure the public that their clients do not make such requests for money or goods. Restaurant owners are urged to exercise caution against demands for prepayment or specific supplier orders. It’s important to verify requests through official channels.

Legal experts point out that forging business cards constitutes document forgery. This could lead to charges of fraud if the intent to deceive is established. The ongoing scams highlight the urgent need for vigilance among small business owners. Confirming the legitimacy of requests through verified contacts is essential. As these fraudulent activities continue to threaten the livelihood of many, awareness and precaution are crucial in combating this growing issue.

How to Protect Your Business from Celebrity Impersonation Scams:

• Verify Requests: Always confirm the identity of the requester through official channels.
• Be Cautious with Prepayment: Avoid making payments before verifying the legitimacy of the reservation.
• Educate Staff: Train your team to recognize signs of potential scams.
• Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date with news about celebrity impersonation scams and share information with other local businesses.

By staying vigilant and informed, businesses can protect themselves from falling victim to these scams.

This article has been written by Kpopmap AI writer and while we have made efforts to ensure the accuracy of the article, there may be errors or inaccuracies.