Fake documents used to push fire-safety equipment sales at bathhouses; police complaint filed, public warned
A forged official document bearing the South Chungcheong Province governor's seal was used to pressure businesses into purchasing goods.
South Chungcheong Province said Friday it had filed a criminal complaint with police against a company, identified only as Company A, for using a forged official document to push bathhouse operators in the province into buying fire-safety equipment.
The case came to light Wednesday after a bathhouse in the province contacted provincial authorities to verify the authenticity of a document bearing the governor's name.
A provincial investigation found that an unidentified individual had sent the bathhouse a document stamped with the governor's official seal via mobile phone, then demanded the purchase of fire-safety equipment, claiming a fire-prevention inspection was scheduled.
The bathhouse contacted the province's safety policy division to check whether the document was genuine. Provincial officials immediately confirmed it was forged, classified the act as a serious legal violation and filed a complaint with the jurisdictional police.
The province also quickly notified relevant departments and municipal governments of the incident, asking them to run public awareness campaigns to prevent similar cases from harming residents.
"Document forgery involving the impersonation of public institutions has now been confirmed at bathhouses as well as lodging establishments, so extra caution is needed," a provincial official said. The official urged anyone who receives an official document by mobile phone, or is asked to purchase goods under the pretext of an on-site inspection, to verify the matter directly with the relevant institution.
The official added that the province is not currently running any "fire-prevention fire-safety equipment support project" and does not, under any circumstances, request or solicit the purchase of goods, advance payments or bank transfers in the governor's name.
kwonhl@heraldcorp.com
