Promoting 'Cutting-Edge Scientific System' but Also Becoming Target of Secondary Crimes Like Stock Fraud
The so-called 'Lotto prediction sites' that claim to provide winning numbers through self-developed systems are emerging as hotbeds of various crimes. Not only do these crimes stop at the first stage, but secondary crimes exploiting members' hopes of striking it rich are also on the rise.
On the 27th, searching for 'Lotto prediction sites' on online portal sites revealed dozens of websites claiming to provide winning numbers for the next Lotto draw. Upon checking one site, it was found that paid members who pay a certain fee are informed of numbers 'obtained through a state-of-the-art self-developed system,' and it was promoted that 'using this increases the winning probability by at least 2.5 times compared to purchasing directly.'
The prices varied widely depending on the winning probability, with a package claiming to increase the winning chance nearly threefold costing about 1.5 million KRW for a two-year subscription. The review section was flooded with posts claiming actual Lotto wins using the service.
A customer service representative of the site emphasized, "We increase customers' chances of winning using a self-developed system created by analyzing past Lotto winning numbers with big data. The winning probability is at least twice as high compared to just buying tickets, and there have been several cases of first-place winners through our site."
Experts have expressed doubts about the credibility of the self-analysis systems promoted by Lotto prediction sites. Dr. Nam Gil-nam, a professor in the Department of Statistics at Seoul National University, stated, "Typical random number generation algorithms are not designed on the premise that past patterns will repeat. Even if certain winning numbers have appeared frequently in the past, there is no guarantee they will appear in the next draw. If these sites had developed their own systems by understanding the unique environment and forces generating Lotto winning numbers, that would be different, but such a possibility is extremely slim."
Nevertheless, most Lotto prediction sites operate under slogans such as 'Maximum number of Lotto first-place winners' and 'Analysis system based on professional statistical knowledge.' According to the current Act on Labeling and Advertising, false, exaggerated, deceptive, or unfair comparative advertising that may mislead consumers is prohibited, and violations can result in imprisonment of up to two years or fines up to 150 million KRW. In the past five years (2019?2023), a total of 1,917 consumer damage relief applications related to Lotto winning number prediction services have been filed with the Korea Consumer Agency, with over 600 cases reported annually since 2022.
The problem is that Lotto prediction sites have become targets for other crimes such as 'stock fraud.' Fraud cases have occurred exploiting the fact that paid members of Lotto prediction sites have high hopes of sudden wealth and are vulnerable to temptation.
In fact, on the 20th, a group was sent to the prosecution for embezzling investment funds worth billions of KRW by deceiving people with claims like 'buying stocks scheduled for listing will yield high returns in a short period.' It was investigated that they purchased the database (DB) of paid members who joined Lotto prediction sites through platforms like Telegram and targeted them for their crimes.
A police official said, "Since stock fraud also exploits the hopes of those wanting high returns in a short time, paid members of Lotto prediction sites seem to have been identified as suitable targets for such crimes. If you encounter promotions guaranteeing high returns on stocks or Lotto prediction sites demanding cash, it is highly likely to be a scam, so please be cautious."
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