Dentists Warn of Increasing Scam Targeting Dental Professionals on Korean Online Platforms

Korea: Dentists have raised concerns over a rising number of individuals who have been deceived by a scam referred to as ‘money eating’ within an online community dedicated to dental professionals in Korea. Perpetrators of the scam entice victims by offering dental materials and equipment at discounted prices, only to disappear after receiving upfront payments without delivering the promised goods.

Substantial Financial Losses

Numerous reports indicate that dentists have suffered substantial financial losses, ranging from tens of thousands to millions of won, through similar tactics. The scammers primarily target dentists through online community platforms, where they pose as reputable sellers of used dental equipment. The exclusivity of the community being restricted to dental professionals, plays a role in building trust among victims.

In one instance, an unnamed dentist, who is currently under suspicion for fraudulent activities, reached out to victims who had posted inquiries about purchasing used dental equipment on one such community. They offered the equipment at a significantly reduced price and provided personal details, including their real name, phone number, dental clinic’s name, and the clinic’s bank account information. 

Continued Delays and Excuses

Another dentist, after verifying the seller’s identity, made a payment, seemingly confirming the transaction. However, problems emerged soon after. The promised items never arrived, and the tracking number provided turned out to be invalid. Despite inquiries regarding the delivery, the buyer received excuses such as “there was a delivery issue; it will arrive soon.” 

Another victim experienced a similar situation. After making a payment for dental materials, the victim faced continuous delays, with excuses like “the items haven’t arrived yet; there is no way for my staff to send them for verification.” Although the seller promised a full refund, the issue remains unresolved.

In response to these incidents, a group of affected dentists has come together, creating a chat group that currently consists of approximately 30 members. One of the primary concerns is that the seller might be engaging in similar scams on other platforms, potentially increasing the number of victims.

Call for Immediate Action

Expressing frustration, one of the victims stated, “The victims of [the accused dentist] fraudulent activities are not limited to one or two individuals. I myself narrowly escaped falling victim to the scam after sending the money but managed to secure a refund through persistent complaints.” 

The victim criticised the accused dentist, highlighting the betrayal of trust within the dental community, and pleaded for immediate action, saying, “Who could have anticipated such fraudulent activities occurring on a platform that operates under real names? It is crucial to expose this fact before more people become victims.”

While the estimated financial losses resulting from the scam are in the millions, finding a viable solution to assist the victims proves challenging due to the illegal nature of individual transactions involving medical devices. 

Illegal Sales Without Registration 

Article 17 of the Medical Device Act strictly governs the sale of medical devices, whether new or used, allowing it only for registered operators of medical device sales businesses. Selling medical devices without proper registration and notification is a violation of the law and can lead to imprisonment for up to three years or a fine of up to 30 million won (US$23k).

Nevertheless, it is evident that some online platforms facilitate the trade of used dental materials and equipment without adhering to the necessary legal requirements. Additionally, many dentists are unaware of the illegal nature of such transactions, emphasizing the need for caution. Some argue that unscrupulous dentists are taking advantage of their colleagues’ lack of knowledge in this area.

An official from the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety stated, “Even if an individual is a healthcare professional, selling medical devices without registering the sales business is prohibited. All transactions involving used medical devices between healthcare professionals, whether conducted online or offline, are illegal.” The official emphasized the significance of purchasing medical devices from registered sellers to ensure safety.