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Secondhand marketplace scams grow as fraudsters weaponize AI tools to hoodwink victims

Published: 18 Apr. 2026, 11:01 Updated: 18 Apr. 2026, 15:46

An AI-generated image provided by a reader. The image below was created using ChatGPT, asking it to add a sticky note that had a username written on it. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

A 33-year-old law firm employee surnamed Chang was browsing a secondhand marketplace in March to purchase a limited-edition Digimon 25th anniversary Digivice, a hand-held gaming device.

After finding a listing at a reasonable price, Chang immediately contacted the seller to make the purchase.

Chang initially wanted to purchase it through the secondhand platform’s "safe transaction" system, in which a third-party financial institution temporarily holds the funds before transferring them to the seller. However, the seller said only a direct bank transfer was possible.

Chang requested a photo from the seller to at least confirm the product was real, asking the seller to provide a photo of the device with a handwritten note containing the seller’s username. The seller promptly sent the image, and Jang transferred 240,000 won ($163).

The seller later sent a photo of a shipping label, but soon cut off contact. Chang later found out that both the photo and the shipping label were edited using generative AI.

Secondhand marketplace scams are increasingly being carried out using AI tools, making it difficult to distinguish between real and AI-generated images.

With such tools widely accessible, individuals can easily create convincing images of products or even ID cards. This reporter uploaded an image of a product found online to the free version of ChatGPT and asked it to create an image with a handwritten note. The tool quickly generated an image, complete with natural shadows and realistic handwriting.

Authorities estimate that at least 1,000 people have fallen victim to the same group of scammers that targeted Chang. The same scammers also posed as ticketing agents, charging commissions while promising full refunds if they failed to secure tickets, but didn't return the money. They also opened online stores on Naver Smart Store using stolen business identities, taking payments without delivering the purchased goods.

Messages between a secondhand marketplace scammer that used AI-generated photos and the victim, provided by a reader. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Complaints have been filed about scammers in multiple regions, including the southern Gyeonggi area and Busan. However, identifying the suspects has been difficult because they change their names and bank accounts daily. More than a month after the first reports, authorities have yet to close the cases, while the number of victims continues to grow.

Some victims who attempted to contact the scammers using the phone number provided during the transactions were met with mockery or sexually explicit insults directed at their family members.

As secondhand marketplace scams increase, a key issue is the lack of rapid-response mechanisms.

For voice phishing scams, financial institutions can immediately freeze the suspect's bank account under the Special Act on the Prevention of Loss Caused by Telecommunications-based Financial Fraud and Refund for Loss. However, no equivalent act exists for secondhand marketplace scams, making it difficult to suspend accounts promptly.

As a result, victims must go through police procedures, during which additional victims can fall for scams.

Yang Won-joon, a lawyer at Law Firm Law Win, said recent AI-driven scams have become so sophisticated that it is "virtually impossible for individuals to fully avoid them."

"A practical advice would be to avoid non-face-to-face transactions when possible and use platform-backed payment systems instead of direct bank transfers," said Yang. "With secondhand marketplace scams becoming increasingly organized and large-scale, authorities should consider expanding account suspension measures to cover such cases."

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY LEE AH-MI [[email protected]]