Increase in SNS Side Job Troubles: Comparing "Easy Side Jobs" in Japan and Abroad

Table of Contents

1. Background of the Surge in SNS Side Job Troubles

2. Actual Conditions and Cases of Damage in Japan

3. Different Risk Factors for Young and Middle-aged Groups

4. Overseas "Side-Hustle" Scams: USA, Australia, Emerging Countries

5. Comparison of Side Job Culture and Systems in Japan, the US, and Europe

6. Trends in Measures by Platforms and Governments

7. Checklist for Users (10 Rules to Prevent Damage)

8. Conclusion and Outlook
   
   

1. Background of the Surge in SNS Side Job Troubles

The 2025 edition of the "Consumer White Paper," approved by the government on June 13, reported that the number of SNS-related consultations reached 86,396 cases in 2024 (an increase of about 5,000 cases from the previous year), expanding 3.4 times over five years. By age group, the 50s had the most cases, but the proportion of side job scams was notably high among those in their 20s to 40s.nippon.com

Factors

• Increased demand to "earn in a short time and from home" due to rising prices and stagnant wages

• High-precision targeting of SNS ads leading to a flood of "earn money" information on timelines

• AI-generated profiles and fake reviews making it difficult to identify scam accounts
  
  
  
  

2. Actual Conditions and Cases of Damage in Japan

Representative Methods

1. Task Delegation Type: Engaging in tap work via LINE, then claiming a penalty for "unmet results"

2. Investment Solicitation Type: Using celebrity photos to lure people into investment groups with "side income in 15 minutes a day," then disappearing after cryptocurrency is sent

3. Information Product Type: Selling e-books or PDFs for tens of thousands of yen, which contain only publicly known information
   
   

The white paper introduces cases such as a woman in her 20s from a rural area who started a "smartphone side job" and was made to pay 630,000 yen.nippon.com

3. Different Risk Factors for Young and Middle-aged Groups

• In Their 20s and 30s: Less experience with side jobs and vulnerable to "zero initial cost" claims

• In Their 40s and 50s: Strong need to supplement income and easily drawn to high-cost "early recovery plans"

• 60 and Over: Not accustomed to SNS and prone to clicking phishing URLs
  
  
  
  

4. Overseas Side-hustle Scams

According to the US FTC, the loss from text scams in 2024 was $470 million, with "high-income side jobs" among the top scams. Rising unemployment and a preference for remote work are analyzed as factors.businessinsider.com

In Australia, warnings were issued to 18 unqualified "finfluencers," highlighting issues with illegal advice and investment scams.couriermail.com.au

5. Comparison of Side Job Culture and Systems in Japan, the US, and Europe

6. Trends in Regulations and Platforms

• The Consumer Affairs Agency plans to revise the Display Countermeasure Guidelines in 2025 to regulate advertisements that do not disclose initial costs.

• X (formerly Twitter) and Meta are introducing a new API to block "financial scam ad networks."

• The US FTC will begin implementing the Voice Clone Act targeting AI-generated scam ads from the end of 2024.
  
  
  
  

7. Damage Prevention Checklist (Excerpt)

1. Verify the business's location and corporate number.

2. Immediately block any upfront payment requests like "registration fees."

3. Always cross-check SNS advertisements with external review sites.

4. Do not require the presentation of identification documents for LINE group invitations.

5. For side income, pre-calculate if it can be reported as a loss in tax returns.
   
   
   
   

8. Conclusion and Outlook

With the lifting of restrictions on side jobs, the "side-hustle" culture is expanding in Japan, but the systems and education are lagging behind compared to overseas. The 86,000 consultations indicated in the Consumer White Paper are just the tip of the iceberg, and both financial education and platform monitoring are essential. Individuals should be wary of promises of "easy money" and focus on legitimate side job platforms and contractual documentation to minimize risks.

Reference Article List

• Jiji Press "SNS Consultations, Highest at 86,000 Cases Last Year, 3.4 Times in 5 Years" June 13, 2025 nippon.com

• TV Asahi "SNS-related Consultation Cases Exceeded 86,000 in 2024, a Record High" June 13, 2025 news.tv-asahi.co.jp

• Business Insider "The rise of job offer scams" June 5, 2025 businessinsider.com

• World Economic Forum "What is the gig economy and what's the deal for gig workers?" November 22, 2024 weforum.org

• JILPT "Survey on the Employment of Side Job Workers" July 12, 2024 jil.go.jp

• Persol Research Institute "Quantitative Survey on the Reality and Awareness of Side Jobs" August 2023 files.microcms-assets.io

• Australia Courier Mail "ASIC warns finfluencers over illegal advice" June 12, 2025 couriermail.com.au