[Reporter’s Notebook] Side Job Tried to Feed Children Turns Out to Be a Scam... No Safety Net in Place

"Because of my father going to the hospital, my children can’t even eat delicious food..." This was a post uploaded to a scam victim community on November 14. The author lamented that they had lost more than 40 million won to a side job scam. Other victims, who had previously remained silent, also came forward to express their anger and frustration. "I’ve put my house up for sale." "I only tried this for a little peace in my life." Victims of side job scams whom I met since last month were in similar situations. They had tried side jobs to help pay for their children's tuition or to supplement insufficient salaries, only to fall prey to scams. Side job scams specifically targeted those who were economically vulnerable.

Side job scams are particularly malicious because they exploit the guilt of the economically disadvantaged. The perpetrators pressured victims by claiming that multiple team members participating in the mission suffered losses because of the victim. Unable to withstand the pressure, victims transferred money as demanded, only to fall into the trap of the so-called side job. Kim Daeun (49, female), who was scammed in August, said she could not sleep for two days before transferring about 11.63 million won to the scammer. "How much hardship must my teammates be going through because of me?" The guilt she felt toward her teammates, who were actually in league with the scammer, kept her awake at night.

Although side job scams target vulnerable individuals, the reality is that no one protects them. Social networking services (SNS) can be considered breeding grounds for side job scams. After directly contacting posters of side job advertisements on SNS, it was nearly impossible to find a legitimate opportunity. Like what happened to Kim, scammers would ask for a screenshot of a YouTube video and then demand participation in a mission. Someone else offered to introduce a side job that guaranteed a monthly income of 5 million won if 4.99 million won was deposited. When I kept asking what kind of side job it was, the person cut off contact, saying that people who ask too many questions can’t make money. Nowhere on SNS-where countless people are exposed to side job scams-could I find a single warning about these scams.

The law has also failed to protect the socially vulnerable. Even when victims went to investigative agencies to request a freeze on the scammer’s bank account, the response was, "That’s only possible for voice phishing." According to the Special Act on the Prevention of Losses from Telecommunications-based Financial Fraud and Refund for Losses (Telecommunications Fraud Refund Act), "acts disguised as the supply of goods or provision of services" are excluded from the definition of voice phishing. Because of this clause, not only side job scam victims but also victims of romance scams, no-show scams, and other diversified cybercrimes in modern society have been blocked from recovering their losses.

There was a common question asked to side job scam victims: "Did you tell anyone around you about being scammed?" Most did not. The main reason was a sense of helplessness, believing that "it’s no use." Some victims confessed that their guilt became so overwhelming that they even had extreme thoughts. The responsibility for driving them to the edge lies with both the platforms and the state.