[How to Navigate CW Part 31] The Reality of "Government Proposal Impersonation" Projects Lurking on CrowdWorks: A Former Government Official Explains the Structure of Public Design Middleman Schemes

Introduction

I'm sure some of you have been browsing CrowdWorks one day and thought, "Oh, a public project!"
I thought so too at first.
But this was actually a contractor taking a proposal issued by a city, copying it entirely, and using it to "gather materials for their own application."

The victims are thegovernment officethat honestly put out a public call, and theworker.
This time, from the perspective of someone who used to work inside the government, I will summarize the reality of these middleman schemes and how to prevent them.

1. What is happening, in a nutshell

The composition looks something like this👇

• The city officially announces a proposal (with a cap of around 1 million to 1.5 million yen).

• A contractor sees that and recruits "proposals" via crowdsourcing.

• A worker submits a design proposal for 30,000 yen.

• The contractor submits that proposal to the city as their own.

• If selected, they pocket the full contract amount of 1 million yen or more.

Worker's payout: 30,000 yen.
Contractor's share: 1 million yen or more.
The worker's name does not appear on the city's documents.
──This is the reality.

2. How to spot these projects

Before you apply, at least check these things.

• The city name is explicitly mentioned
  → It is extremely rare for the government to post directly on CW. Be careful.

• The posting period is too short (e.g., posted on the 8th, deadline on the 13th)
  → Usually a "rushed recruitment for proxy application." ← They likely intend to gather them quickly and disappear before knowledgeable people notice.

• The pay is low but the requirements are excessive
  → A "we just want proposals" pattern.

• Phrases like "Selected as a candidate for proposal to the city"
  → Almost certainly via a contractor.

• No explanation of bidding qualifications, registration, or tax payment certificates
  → Workers cannot normally submit these. No proposal qualifications.

If you feel something is off, be suspicious first.

3. The government office is also a victim

Government offices are recruiting in earnest.
But when a middleman gets involved, this is what happens👇

• Revision requests double due to the "telephone game" structure of Government → Agency → Worker

• The source of submitted materials is unknown

• Risk of contractual trouble (violation of subcontracting rules)

• Quality is unstable, and public trust declines

In short, both the government and the workers only lose.
And the only ones who profit are the agencies sitting in the middle.

4. What workers can do now

1. Compare the official public notice on the website with the text on CW.

2. Clearly state the "copyright and scope of use for deliverables" when applying.
   → It is fine to write "Separate contract required upon selection; unauthorized use prohibited."

3. Save screenshots. Report to the platform and the local government.

4. Have the courage not to apply if something feels off.

A sentence to protect your copyright (example)

Even if it's short, having this makes a difference.

5. Recommendations to the government

If any city officials are reading this, I want to say this:
Let's just use CW ourselves. Some local governments are already doing it. They are actually posting project recruitments. It's not the era to be hung up on registered agencies anymore.

Rather than using an agency,

• Cost reduction

• Faster revisions

• Direct ordering from citizen creators

It's all benefits.
The accounting department can also process it as "outsourcing expenses (including fees)" and it will pass.
Once a precedent is set, other local governments can follow suit.

6. Conclusion

The worker's design isyours. Protect it.
The government should also place orders correctly through the proper channels.
Truly, there is a way where no one loses out.