Evolving Bodycam Phishing... Why Extra Caution Is Needed Especially During Year-End and New Year Periods

Easily Exposed to Crime Amid 'Holiday Blues' and Year-End Atmosphere

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Cybercrime involving "Mokcam Phishing" is evolving day by day. Especially during the year-end and New Year period, caution is required against Mokcam Phishing, as crimes targeting the festive year-end atmosphere may occur.

Mokcam Phishing is a crime where perpetrators scout for victims through social networking services (SNS), induce obscene chatting to obtain nude photos and videos of the victim, and then threaten them to extort money.

Victims who have already sent images or videos find themselves forced to pay money according to the criminal's demands. The perpetrator chats with the victim while inducing them to install a hacking app or APK file, leading them to access a hacking link (URL) and hack the victim's personal information. The criminal then uses the obtained address book and phone numbers to threaten the victim by saying they will send sensitive images or videos to acquaintances or family members.

The photo is not related to the specific content of the article. Photo by Pixabay

The methods of crime are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Some use deepfake technology (edited videos that synthesize faces onto other videos) to threaten victims by claiming they will distribute obscene videos with the victim's face synthesized. Others accuse victims of communication media-based obscenity crimes for sending body videos or photos and demand settlement money.

In fact, Mokcam Phishing cases have been increasing every year. Last September, according to data on cyber financial crimes from 2017 to 2021 received by Rep. Jeong Woo-taek of the People Power Party, a member of the National Assembly's Administration and Security Committee, from the National Police Agency, the number of Mokcam Phishing crimes last year reached 3,026, surpassing 3,000 for the first time.

Specifically, there were 1,234 cases in 2017, 1,406 in 2018, 1,824 in 2019, and 2,583 in 2020. The scale of damages is also increasing, with last year's Mokcam Phishing damages amounting to 11.95 billion KRW, a 66.4% increase from the previous year (7.27 billion KRW).

'Mokcam Phishing Warning' Amid the Festive Year-End Atmosphere

The Mokcam Phishing problem is serious overseas as well. On the 19th (local time), the US online media Axios cited FBI data revealing that over the past year, about 7,000 reports of Mokcam Phishing targeting minors have been received. The registered number of crime victims is at least 3,000.

Photo by Pixabay [Image source=Pixabay]

The problem is that digital sex crimes surge during the year-end and New Year period. In the festive year-end atmosphere, there is a high possibility of exposure to crime due to mistakes or curiosity.

Also, people suffering from year-end depression such as "Holiday blues" can become targets of crime. Winter is a season with insufficient sunlight.

The secretion of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and melatonin decreases, causing seasonal affective disorder. Additionally, some people experience intense depression called Holiday blues, feeling a stark contrast between the cheerful surroundings and their own unhappy state during the festive year-end atmosphere.

Therefore, awareness of Mokcam Phishing damage during the year-end and New Year period must be heightened. Since many Mokcam Phishing incidents occur through dating apps, it is advisable to be cautious when using apps during this period. In particular, one should recognize that chatting with the opposite sex on "random chat" can make them a target of crime. Also, do not access URLs outside of Google Play Store or T Store to install unknown executable files (APK) on your smartphone.

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