Online fraudulent advertisements promoting the sale of contact lenses through overseas direct purchase, which is prohibited, have been caught.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced that as a result of inspecting illegal online distribution and fraudulent advertisements for contact lenses, it identified 108 posts violating the Medical Devices Act and requested the relevant authorities to block access to them.

Among the flagged advertisements, 83% were shopping malls selling contact lenses from foreign countries, mainly Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

Categorized by medical device type, 76% were daily-wear soft contact lenses, and 24% were extended-wear contact lenses.

Contact lenses are classified as medical devices, making overseas direct purchases impossible. Consumers must purchase products imported through proper procedures by those who have obtained a medical device importer's license.

"Medical devices purchased directly from overseas have not had their safety and effectiveness verified, and it is difficult to receive legal protection domestically in the event of damage," an official from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said.

(Photo: Provided by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Yonhap News)