Beware of Special Fraud

What is special fraud?

The crime in which the perpetrator impersonates a relative or a public agency employee via phone or postcard (sealed letter) to deceive the victim into believing them, tricking them into handing over cash or cash cards, or claiming that they can receive a refund for Medical Expenses, leading the victim to operate an ATM and transfer money to the perpetrator's account (including extortion to obtain cash through threats and theft by swapping cash cards at opportune moments).

New Information

Beware of "Support Scams"!

What is "support fraud"...

This is a scam technique where, while browsing videos or websites on a computer or smartphone, a warning screen suddenly appears stating "You have been infected with a virus" along with contact information. Victims who call the number are then asked to transfer cash or purchase electronic money cards at convenience stores under the pretext of virus removal.

To avoid being victimized...

• Do not call the displayed contact number
• Do not buy even if asked to purchase an electronic money card

Reference

• Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department Website "Support Fraud Measures"(External Link)

You can use services like 'Number Display' for free!

You can use the "Number Display" feature to confirm the other party's phone number and the "Number Request" feature to reject calls from private numbers for free. Please check the following link for details.

• NTT East Japan will assist with measures against special fraud! (NTT East Japan)(External link)

Eligibility

Contractors aged 70 or older, or contractors living with someone aged 70 or older
[Note] Proxy applications by family members are also possible

Contact Us

NTT East Japan Special Fraud Prevention Dial
Phone: 0120-722-455 (from 9 AM to 5 PM)

Status of Special Fraud Damage in Inagi City

	Number of Cases (cases)	Damage Amount (thousand yen)	Elderly Population (people)
Reiwa 5	10	12,390	20,527
Reiwa 4	6	7,770	20,413
Reiwa 3	9	7,600	19,859
Reiwa 2	7	14,380	19,473
2019 (Reiwa 1)	11	20,900	19,151
2018	19	41,860	18,857
2017	11	25,441	18,307
2016	9	23,602	17,726
2015	9	38,340	17,039
2014	11	27,907	16,221
2013	16	40,968	15,416

• (Note 1) The amount of damage is expressed by truncating amounts less than one thousand yen.
• (Note 2) The figures for the elderly population (aged 65 and over) are as of January 1.

Methods of Special Fraud and Precautions

Type	Overview	Notes and Precautions
Ore Ore Scam	This is a method of deceiving (or extorting) money by pretending to be a relative, police officer, lawyer, etc., under the pretext of settlement money for incidents or accidents involving relatives.	If money is mentioned over the phone, hang up the call for a moment, and consult with family or others immediately!
Deposit and Savings Fraud	This is a method of deception (or intimidation) where individuals impersonate relatives, police officers, bank association staff, etc., claiming that your account is being used for criminal activities and that "it is necessary to exchange your cash card," in order to fraudulently obtain cash cards, credit cards, savings passbooks, etc.	Employees from the municipality, bank associations, etc. will never ask for your PIN or come to collect your cash card.
Cash Card Fraud Theft	This is a method where perpetrators impersonate police officers, bank association staff, or employees of major department stores, and call victims under the pretext of "your cash card is being used fraudulently" or similar claims. They then have the victims prepare their cash cards and, taking advantage of a moment of distraction, steal the cash cards and other valuables.	Police officers, bank association staff, and others will never ask for your PIN or ask you to put your cash card in an envelope.
Phantom Billing Fraud	This is a method of deceiving (or extorting) money by using false facts such as having unpaid fees as an excuse.	Business Operators, the Ministry of Justice and the courts will never ask you to purchase electronic money (prepaid cards) at convenience stores under the pretext of "payment for unpaid fees and such."
Refund Fraud	This is a method where victims are manipulated into operating an ATM under the guise of necessary procedures for tax refunds, resulting in illegal financial gains through transfers between accounts.	City Hall staff will not request procedures from banks or act as intermediaries. They will also never operate ATMs.
Other Methods	There are also methods such as loan guarantee fraud, financial product fraud, gambling fraud, and dating agency fraud.	Be cautious of sweet words. Please suspect such phone calls, mail, or emails as "scams."

The following external links are all from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's SOS47 Special Fraud Countermeasures page.

• Ore Ore Scam(External Link)
• Deposit and Savings Fraud(External Link)
• Cash Card Fraud(External Link)
• Fictitious Billing Fraud(External Link)
• Refund Fraud(External Link)
• Other Methods(External Link)
• Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department - SOS47 Special Fraud Countermeasures Page(External Link)