SK Telecom blocks 1.1 billion voice spam, phishing calls using AI

SK Telecom said it blocked about 1.1 billion attempted telecom frauds, including voice spam and phishing, in 2025.

The South Korea-based telco reported a 35% rise in blocked attempts year-on-year, after aggressively adopting AI technology.

In 2024, SK Telecom introduced an AI model that analyzes call patterns to detect and block suspected phishing numbers not yet reported to authorities.

The company said it blocked 250 million voice spam and phishing calls, a rise of 119% year-on-year, and 850 million spam texts, up 22%.

🔗 Source: ChosunBiz

🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

Korea’s voice phishing losses rose as cases fell, as scammers sharpen tactics

SK Telecom blocked 35% more fraud attempts in 2025. Losses still topped 1 trillion won ($718 million) in the first 10 months, the first time annual losses crossed that mark 1.
Cases fell from 30,982 in 2021 to 19,972 in the first 10 months of 2025 1. Average loss per case rose to 52.9 million won from 24.98 million won 1.
Criminals use fake identity verification apps that spoof numbers, grab stored data, and track a victim in real time 2. One person lost 11 million won 2.
More advanced tactics mean more blocking does not always cut losses 1. Police say scammers pressure victims for longer, which raises losses before targets catch on 1.

Companies should register as Rich Communication Services (RCS) verified senders as SK Telecom tightens fraud filters

SK Telecom is expanding AI spam filters. Verified messaging helps reach customers and cuts false positives.
RCS verified sender registration shows a brand name, logo, and contact info instead of a phone number 3. Approval takes four to six weeks 3.
Teams running contact centers or using Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS) in Korea should add RCS with SMS fallback to cover carriers without RCS support 3.
Early adoption helps people tell real messages from scams 3. RCS now reaches 68% of iOS devices and nearly 100% of Android devices 3.