[Exclusive] Side Job Scam Reports Neglected... 184 Cases Unaddressed for Six Months

Despite the flood of posts on social networking services (SNS) related to side job scams that lure people with the promise of extra income and then extort money from them, the agency responsible for monitoring and managing online communications networks has come to a complete halt due to political reasons. It has been revealed that 184 reports of side job scams received over the past six months have not only failed to result in the removal of posts, but have not even been reviewed.

Members of the Korea Communications Standards Commission Labor Union shouted slogans urging the normalization of the Commission at the 18th regular meeting held in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, on September 15. Photo by Yonhap News

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According to materials obtained by The Asia Business Daily through a freedom of information request on November 28, the Korea Broadcasting Media Communications Standards Commission (KBMCSC) received 184 reports of "internet fraud information" involving side job scams on SNS from June 3 to November 26 of this year. However, the commission has not even started the review process necessary to take action, leaving the cases in limbo. Even "self-regulation" measures, which involve proactively requesting platforms to delete posts before the review stage, have not been implemented.

Although the Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC) was dissolved last month and the KBMCSC was launched, and the transfer of responsibilities is underway, operational gaps have emerged, making normal work impossible. The KBMCSC stated, "Of the nine commissioners required to review side job scams and similar cases, only two remain, making it virtually impossible to hold meetings," and added, "Although the KBMCSC was launched on October 1, new commissioners have still not been appointed."

The number of internet fraud information reviews has surged every year, with 48 cases in 2021, 152 cases in 2022, 153 cases in 2023, and 201 cases in 2024, flooding SNS with side job scam posts.

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When the KBMCSC receives a report related to side job scams, it conducts a review and then takes actions such as blocking access or deleting posts. Currently, the KBMCSC is the only agency with the authority to monitor and take preemptive action, such as deleting online posts related to side job scams. Even investigative agencies such as the police must request the KBMCSC to delete posts related to side job scams.

Although the Act on the Establishment and Operation of the Broadcasting Media Communications Commission, which passed the National Assembly on October 1, allows for the appointment of new commissioners to the KBMCSC, this process has also stalled due to political disagreements. On November 26, Kim Junhee, head of the KBMCSC branch of the National Union of Media Workers under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, stated at a press conference in front of the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul, "The delay in forming the KBMCSC is causing a backlog in broadcasting and communications reviews, and urgent issues such as blocking illegal information are not being resolved," adding, "The government and the presidential office must take responsible action to normalize the KBMCSC."

Next article: The Side Job That Seemed Like an Escape Was a Scam [The Trap of Side Jobs]①

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