Side job scams involving AI and social media are on the rise

Legal professionals and entrepreneurs are highlighting the rising prevalence of side job scams, particularly those leveraging artificial intelligence. Lightstone Legal Office has categorized recent fraud cases into five distinct types, noting a surge in deceptive advertisements on social media and LINE. These scams often promise high income through simple tasks like “copy-pasting” or using “AI tools” to automate earnings, eventually pressuring victims into high-cost contracts for manuals, software, or support plans.

Common tactics include using LINE to move victims toward phone consultations where they are pressured to make immediate decisions under the guise of “special limited-time offers.” In some instances, victims are even encouraged to take out loans or use credit card installments to pay for these fraudulent services.

In response to these trends, Ryoma Fukui, representative of Rise Co., Ltd., has shared personal experiences of being defrauded twice to emphasize the importance of transparency in the industry. He advocates for a “cost-zero” principle, warning against information that requires high upfront costs and stressing the need for honest reporting regarding the time and effort required to achieve actual income.