Target Expansion Including Sexual Minorities
“Obscene Material Transmission” Lawsuit After App Installation
Extorting Settlement Money and Distributing Videos
Bodycam phishing perpetrators contact sexual minorities through dating apps that they mainly use. Photo by Reader Provided
[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Gyumin, Intern Reporter Song Hyundo] A sexual minority individual, A, met a man of the same sex last month in an open chat room on a mobile messenger where sexual minorities gather. After their conversation went well, they exchanged contacts, and the man suggested installing another application (app) for a video call. While A was using this app for a video call, some parts of A's body were exposed. Afterward, the man's attitude suddenly changed. He demanded 3 million won, threatening to distribute photos of A's body to acquaintances. While A hesitated to send money due to fear of outing (the act of revealing a sexual minority's sexual orientation or gender identity without their consent), some acquaintances had already received the photos.
Another sexual minority individual, B, was emotionally hurt during the process of reporting a bodycam phishing incident to the police earlier this month. While informing the police about the victimization of other sexual minorities around them, B felt they received annoyed looks from the officers. Three days later, B was informed that the case had been transferred, but there was no further news about the investigation. Meanwhile, the victimization video had already been distributed to acquaintances.
Bodycam phishing is becoming more sophisticated. Typically, bodycam phishing involves impersonating a woman to induce a man into obscene acts or exposing their body to obtain photos or videos, then extorting money. Recently, the targets have expanded to include sexual minorities. The main venues for scammers are KakaoTalk open chat rooms and sexual minority dating apps. They send compressed files needed to install apps or links to websites to induce app downloads. These apps are all created for criminal purposes. Installing the app requires about two or three permissions on the phone, but in reality, they gain access to all personal information such as phone numbers, contacts, photos, and videos.
Scammers also file complaints against victims for the crime of using communication media for obscenity. This crime involves delivering videos or images that cause sexual shame or disgust to the other party through communication media. Scammers accuse victims of sending unwanted body videos or photos. Even if victims pay settlement money after the complaint, the act of transmitting obscene material itself is illegal and punishable.
Lee Hangyeol (pseudonym, 25), who helps sexual minorities, informs acquaintances on how to delete apps used in crimes and how to respond to threats. Lee said, "Scammers usually ask for money transfers at night, so you should say there is a transfer limit on your account at that time," adding, "Promise to send the money the next day, then quit the messenger and tell your acquaintances about the victimization. If scammers create group chat rooms to share victim videos, you should spam emojis with your acquaintances to make the perpetrator leave the chat room."
On the ‘Bodycam Phishing Victims’ Meeting Cafe,’ victims gather to share perpetrators’ mobile messenger IDs, hacking apps, and links. Mobile security industry workers are also present, allowing for consultations.
A police official said, "Bodycam phishing crimes are becoming more specialized, organized, and networked, making tracking increasingly difficult, so we are focusing investigative efforts." A representative from LavaWave, a specialized bodycam phishing response company, said, "(The bodycam phishing methods) are becoming more cunning by the day, so it is important to recognize the latest methods and prevent them," adding, "Do not send money or delete evidence of the crime; instead, consult with experts as soon as possible and respond together."
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