A 'Big Spender' Who Sent 50 Million Won in Star Balloons Daily Dies... Turns Out He Was an Ordinary Office Worker

Deceased Man in His 30s Donated Large Sums to BJs Using Borrowed Money
Family Files Fraud Charges... "Some BJs Deceived Viewers"

A man who had donated up to 50 million won a day to internet broadcasting BJs was found dead, and his family has filed a fraud lawsuit against the BJ and broadcasting officials. On the 24th, JTBC reported, "The family of a man in his 30s, Mr. A, who was found dead in his car last May, claimed that some BJs deceived viewers for profit and filed a fraud complaint against the BJ and broadcasting officials with the police."

The scene of 'Excel Broadcasting,' where the decision to expel internet broadcasting BJs is made through sponsorship funds. [Image source=JTBC news screen capture]

Mr. A, known as a 'big spender' among internet broadcasting BJs for donating up to 50 million won a day, was actually an ordinary office worker. He participated in the so-called 'Excel broadcasting,' where BJs' ranks and expulsion decisions were determined based on donation amounts. To prevent the BJs he supported from being expelled, he borrowed money to continue donating. At the time of his death, his debt reportedly amounted to 150 million won.

One BJ who received donations from Mr. A at the time expressed the view that "It is unfortunate, but ultimately it was his own choice to donate, so there is nothing we can do." Additionally, they revealed, "Some BJs use fake accounts to incite competition among viewers, encouraging more donations."

Another BJ explained, "To avoid being expelled from the broadcast, staff are mobilized to make 'self-donations' which are then reimbursed," adding, "I have donated my own money to raise my score, but I think most viewers turn a blind eye, and even if they know, they don't really say much." When pointed out that such self-donations could be considered deceptive acts, the BJ's side rebutted, "We fulfilled all the promises announced regarding the donations at the time, and there was no manipulation."

The side effects of individuals donating excessive amounts of money to internet broadcasts have been raised for some time. Assemblyman Go Yong-jin of the Democratic Party pointed out during the 2017 national audit, "BJs do everything, even if it is provocative, and that ultimately results in revenue for AfreecaTV."

AfreecaTV has set individual donation limits, but it is reportedly difficult to prevent viewers from using multiple IDs or proxy payment services. It is known that the deceased Mr. A used such a service.