Warning: Fraud Pretending to Be Environmental Workers
In Donghae City, Gangwon Province, there have been cases of fraud where individuals impersonating environmental workers are demanding money in exchange for cleaning up trash in front of storefronts.
Recently, Donghae City urged local merchants and citizens to exercise special caution upon discovering such instances.
The fraudsters approach potential victims by saying, "I'll clean up the trash in front of your store, so please just give me a little something for the meeting expenses. You understand what I'm saying, right?" pretending to be environmental workers.
They aim to gain monetary benefits either by helping with garbage collection or under the pretense of meeting expenses.
Donghae City emphasized that official environmental workers or employees from outsourced service companies do not request any payment for the removal of general waste under any circumstances. It also clearly stated that there could never be a situation where citizens are burdened with personal meeting expenses.
Official environmental workers or employees from outsourced service companies do not request any payment for the removal of general waste under any circumstances.
Proactive Response to Prevent Citizen Damage
Donghae City, believing that such illegal activities can decrease the overall trust in environmental workers and increase citizens' anxiety, has taken swift action.
They have coordinated with the Donghae branch of the Korea Food Service Industry Association to send out official notices to restaurants and shops in the area.
Donghae City announced plans to proactively inform the public through various promotional channels to prevent similar cases of harm in the future.
Fraud involving impersonation of environmental workers exploits fears related to garbage collection, particularly occurring in densely populated commercial areas, making vigilance among merchants necessary.
Yoon Seong-kyu, head of the Environmental Division of Donghae City, expressed strong concern, stating, "Such acts tarnish the honor of environmental workers who are dedicated to protecting the living environment of citizens and exploit their sincere efforts." He also urged, "If you find yourself in a situation where money is being demanded, please immediately contact the Environmental and Cleaning Team to verify whether the person is an actual employee and report it to the police.”
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