Spam Text Job Luring Middle and High School Students... "Subject to Fines and Criminal Penalties"

Increase in Spam Texts Targeting Middle and High School Students
Attention Needed for Youth and Guardians

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] The Korea Communications Commission and the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) recently urged on the 11th that special caution is needed from teenagers and their guardians as new spam tactics that induce illegal text message transmission are increasing among middle and high school students.

These tactics, mainly recruiting students via Telegram and called "Telegram Text Part-time Jobs," are understood to recruit students with messages such as "Text part-time job weekly pay 50,000 won" and "Additional 5,000 won for recruiting friends."

Those recruited are reportedly sent a large number of mobile phone numbers and instructed to send about 500 spam messages per person per day. Most participating students perceive this easy new part-time job as having no legal issues.

However, the KCC emphasized that such tactics are strictly prohibited under the Information and Communications Network Act, and violators may face fines up to 30 million won. Sending advertising information related to illegal loans, gambling, or illegal drugs may also result in criminal penalties, including imprisonment for up to one year.

Chairman Han Sang-hyuk of the KCC stated, "As new spam becomes more sophisticated and the scope of damage expands daily, we will strengthen cooperative responses with telecommunications operators and enhance inspections of illegal spam senders."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.