The Incremental Effects of Fraud Crime on Suicide Among the Elderly in South Korea’s Aging Society

Bibliographic Data

ID16915533
AuthorsSeung Hyun Kim (0000-0001-5779-3177, Kunsan National University), Eun Seo Park (0009-0002-4040-7377, Dongguk University), Seong Ki Lee (0000-0002-6862-8721, Sungshin Women's University), Young Il Cho (0000-0003-3235-7613, Dongguk University, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume15
Issue4
Publication date2025-10-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSAGE Open (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2158-2440 • E-ISSN: 2158-2440
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/21582440251385886
OpenAlexW4415244941
LanguageEN
References cited33

Fraud has been steadily increasing in South Korea, with technological advancements in criminal techniques rendering older adults particularly vulnerable. Over the past 5 years, the number of reported fraud victims aged 60 and above has risen by 1.6 times. Given the difficulty of recovering assets lost to fraud, such crimes pose a significant threat to the social and economic security of older adults, with potential repercussions for both physical and mental health, including elevated suicide risk. This study investigated the contribution of fraud to suicide among the older adult population in South Korea, with particular attention to those living alone. Using open data from the National Police Agency (2018–2020) on fraud incidents, matched with demographic statistics from the National Statistical Office, we conducted hierarchical multiple regression analyses. The results revealed a significant positive relationship between fraud victimization and suicide rates among older adults. Moreover, fraud targeting older adults living alone exhibited a distinct and significant effect on suicide rates in this population. These findings highlight fraud as a critical public health issue that drives suicidal tendencies among older adults. We recommend strengthening older adults’ capacity for self-protection—particularly in electronic financial transactions—and establishing a private crime damage restoration network to provide comprehensive economic and psychological support for those affected

Injury prevention · Occupational safety and health · Poison control · Population · Public security · Suicide prevention · Elder Abuse and Neglect · Health and Wellbeing Research · Health disparities and outcomes · Human Factors and Ergonomics

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access