YouTube under fire as overseas shopping scam ads surge
A cheap online purchase can become an expensive lesson, with Seoul officials warning that complaints tied to overseas shopping sites promoted through YouTube ads surged sharply in the first half of 2026. The Seoul Electronic Commerce Center and Korea Consumer Agency received 359 related consumer complaints so far this year, reaching 142 in June, about 4.6 times the 31 recorded in January. The…
YouTube is facing scrutiny over a surge in overseas shopping scam ads, according to Seoul officials. Complaints related to these ads have increased dramatically in the first half of 2026, with 359 consumer complaints received by the Seoul Electronic Commerce Center and Korea Consumer Agency so far this year. June saw a spike to 142 complaints, nearly quadrupling the 31 complaints recorded in January.
The majority of complaints, 24%, were due to misleading or exaggerated advertising, with some sellers refusing refunds or cancellation requests. Unreachable sellers accounted for 21.7% of cases, while delivery problems made up 13.4% and excessive return charges 11.4%. One case involved a consumer who ordered fleece-lined winter pants after seeing a YouTube ad but received a summer-appropriate pair instead.
Clothing and fashion items were the most complained-about category at 63.2%, followed by furniture, household, and kitchen goods at 11.1%, and health and hygiene products at 10.6%.
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- YouTube under fire as overseas shopping scam ads surge koreatimes.co.kr
