Drug Scams Targeting Mentally Vulnerable on SNS Fuel Vicious Cycle as Victims Shun Reporting

"Government and Law Enforcement Must Respond Proactively"

On social networking services (SNS), scams involving the sale of hazardous drugs targeting individuals in mental health crises are on the rise. These crimes often go unreported, remaining hidden, as victims are reluctant to come forward. There are also growing concerns that some of these drugs could actually be distributed on the market. Critics argue that the government and law enforcement agencies need to monitor more proactively and strengthen their response systems.

According to an investigation by The Asia Business Daily on November 19, sellers are approaching vulnerable individuals through secure messengers such as Telegram, claiming to offer "painless ways to end one's life" and demanding payment in cryptocurrency. After receiving the payment, the sellers immediately disappear.

Victims have been sharing information by exposing the real names, addresses, and contact details of repeat offenders. The reporters confirmed that there are at least ten victims. One victim revealed, "I transferred cryptocurrency worth 2 million won, but contact was immediately cut off." However, due to concerns that they themselves could be subject to prosecution, victims are reluctant to report to law enforcement, making it difficult to accurately grasp the scale and details of the crimes and damages.

If the substance in question is a psychotropic drug, buyers could also face criminal charges for violating the Narcotics Control Act. The psychological vulnerability of buyers further contributes to the repeated occurrence of these scams. A police official explained, "In typical drug transactions, undercover investigations are used to catch offenders, but in these cases, since there are no actual drugs, the crimes often remain hidden. Fear of prosecution also means that reports are rarely filed, making it difficult to initiate investigations."

Some have voiced concerns that such hazardous drugs could actually be circulating. In fact, one of the individuals contacted by the reporters was suspected to be a drug dealer. This seller used slang terms referring to marijuana, LSD, ecstasy, and ketamine to entice purchases. Since domestic drug trafficking organizations already have clandestine smuggling routes, there is a possibility that hazardous drugs could be brought in through the same channels.

A narcotics investigator at a local police station in Seoul commented, "It has been a long time since South Korea ceased to be a drug-safe zone, so it is not impossible for such hazardous drugs to be imported from overseas." According to the National Data Office, the number of deaths by suicide last year was 14,872, an increase of 894 (6.4%) compared to the previous year (13,978). This year, as of August, there have been a provisional total of 9,324 cases.

As a result, there are calls to block posts related to hazardous drug transactions targeting individuals in mental health crises at the source. Although the Ministry of Health and Welfare continuously monitors online spaces, there are limitations because it is difficult to obtain cooperation from secure messengers like Telegram, which have servers overseas. A ministry official explained, "If volunteer monitoring teams discover public posts on blogs and similar platforms, we immediately request their deletion or blocking. We are also building an AI-based 24-hour detection system." However, the official added, "For overseas-based secure messengers, there is no domestic channel for cooperation, so establishing an international cooperation system is necessary."

Experts are calling for more active responses from the government and law enforcement agencies, as well as stronger accountability from online platforms. Yoo Hyunjae, Professor of Communication at Sogang University, pointed out, "Despite being one of the most serious social problems in Korea, responses to online hazardous drug transactions remain insufficient. The government and law enforcement agencies need to pay greater attention to related posts and respond more proactively."

Lee Yunho, Professor Emeritus of Police Administration at Dongguk University, stated, "Victims of hazardous drug transaction scams can be classified as both victims and criminals under the law, making it difficult for them to report. We should implement stricter regulations on platforms where criminal activities occur, as is done in Europe." He further emphasized, "Technical measures are needed to automatically delete or block posts containing certain keywords."

The European Union (EU) has been enforcing strong platform regulations, such as the obligation to remove illegal and harmful content, through the Digital Services Act (DSA) which took effect in November 2022. Professor Yoo stressed, "There needs to be discussion in Korea about enacting legislation similar to the DSA."

If you are experiencing depression or have concerns that are difficult to talk about, or if someone around you is struggling, you can receive 24-hour counseling from a professional by calling the suicide prevention hotline at 109 or through the suicide prevention SNS counseling service 'Madeleine'.