Consumer damage related to online game item purchases is rapidly increasing. In particular, there have been many cases of minors being harmed, and many overseas services abruptly shut down after paid transactions for game items.
According to the Korea Consumer Agency on the 20th, the number of claims for online game-related damage was recorded at 1,055 from 2022 to last year. By year, there were ▲248 in 2022, ▲288 in 2023, and ▲519 in 2024. Looking only at last year's claims, this represents an 80.2% increase compared to the previous year.
If we classify the total number of claims over the past three years by type, contract-related damage accounted for the largest share at 62.8% (661 cases). It was found that 23.8% (251 cases) suffered damage related to unfair acts such as voice phishing. Among contract-related damage, the type that demanded withdrawal of subscription or cancellation of contract after purchasing games or game items was the most common at 41.7% (439 cases).
Following that, ▲11.3% (119 cases) were related to contract non-fulfillment, such as account suspension or service disruption during game use, and ▲9.8% (103 cases) involved contract cancellations due to payments by minors. In reality, online game companies based overseas have frequently ended their domestic services abruptly without refunding users' accumulated points, resulting in 'eating and running' behavior that has not ceased.
The age range of the victims was ▲37.6% (397 cases) in their 30s, ▲26.4% (279 cases) in their 40s, and ▲22.0% (232 cases) in their 20s, with those in their 20s to 40s making up 86%. The number of minor victims aged 10 and under was recorded at 4.1% (43 cases).
The Consumer Agency predicted that with the enforcement of the Gaming Industry Act in October, which requires overseas game operators to designate domestic agents and provide contact information, there will be a prevention effect against 'eating and running.' It also recommended that to prevent payment damage for minors, users should be asked to enter a password each time a payment is made and to delete credit information linked to the application market account.