Japan
Scam and fraud reporting in Japan
If you've been scammed or suspect fraud in Japan, report it right away â Japanese banks have a refund mechanism for verified fraud cases, and the police consultation line (#9110) can guide you through next steps. The National Consumer Affairs Center (call 188) and JC3 are also key resources.
If you have been scammed
- 1Record the phone number, email, or message details before they are lost.
- 2If money was transferred, contact your bank immediately â Japanese banks have a refund mechanism for verified fraud cases under the Transfer Fraud Recovery Act.
- 3Call the police consultation line (#9110) or visit your local police station to file a report.
- 4Change passwords on any compromised accounts and enable two-factor authentication.
Think it might be a scam?
- 1Search the company or person's name plus "scam" or "čŠćŹş" to check for reports from other people.
- 2Verify any business through the National Tax Agency corporate number search at houjin-bangou.nta.go.jp.
- 3Contact the organisation directly using a number from their official website, not the one you were given.
- 4Check NCAC alerts at kokusen.go.jp for current scam patterns targeting Japanese consumers.
Where to report fraud
Official reporting channels in Japan
National Consumer Affairs Center (NCAC)
Contact Consumer Hotline (188)
Japan's national consumer affairs center. Call 188 for the consumer hotline to report scams, get advice, and file complaints.
Japan Police
Police consultation line (#9110)
Japanese police fraud prevention and reporting. Call #9110 for the non-emergency consultation line to report scams.
Japan Cybercrime Control Center (JC3)
Report cybercrime to JC3
Public-private partnership for combating cybercrime in Japan â phishing site reports, online fraud, and malware alerts.
Learn more
Official resources and guides
Scam index
Scams affecting people in Japan
9 scams tracked
fake company bankruptcy news scam
False reports about major companies filing for bankruptcy are spread to manipulate stock prices or drive traffic to phishing sites targeting the company's customers.
Verify company financial news through SEC filings at sec.gov/edgar, the company's investor relations page, or established financial media.
Investors
U.S.
fleeceware subscription trap scam
Fleeceware apps offer minimal functionality for extreme subscription prices, often enrolling users during a deceptively short free trial that auto-converts to charges of up to 200 USD per year.
Always cancel subscriptions through your phone settings rather than just deleting the app
Smartphone users
U.S.
fake WiFi login QR code scam
QR codes posted in public spaces promise free WiFi access but lead to a fake login portal that captures email credentials and personal data or installs malware.
Ask staff for the official WiFi name and password rather than scanning posted QR codes.
Travelers
U.S.
Airbnb hidden camera privacy scam
Some Airbnb hosts install hidden cameras in their properties to record guests in private spaces, violating privacy laws and potentially using footage for extortion or voyeurism.
Scan the property upon arrival â check for unusual objects with tiny holes, use your phone camera to detect infrared lights, and scan the Wi-Fi network for unknown devices.
Travelers
U.S.
hotel WiFi phishing scam
A fake hotel WiFi login page mimics the hotel's branding and asks for your room number, name, and credit card to provide internet access, stealing your payment information.
Verify the exact WiFi network name and login procedure at the front desk before connecting.
Travelers
U.S.
event venue fake network scam
A fake WiFi network at a conference, concert, or sporting event mimics the venue's official network to capture data from thousands of attendees simultaneously.
Check the event program, app, or organizer's website for official WiFi network details before connecting.
Travelers
U.S.
fake amusement park ticket scam
Fraudsters sell fake or already-used amusement park tickets through social media and third-party websites, targeting families looking for deals.
Buy directly from the amusement park website or authorized resellers listed on the park official site
Families
U.S.
NFT mint drain scam
Fake NFT minting sites disguised as free airdrops or early access mints use malicious smart contracts to drain ETH or approved tokens from connected wallets during the minting process.
Only use minting links from the project official website and verify through multiple official channels before clicking
NFT collectors
U.S.
online gaming marketplace pig butchering scam
Scammers target gamers through fake in-game item marketplaces or gaming investment platforms, building relationships through shared gaming interests before redirecting them to fraudulent financial platforms.
Keep gaming friendships and financial decisions completely separate.
Gamers
U.S.
Cities
Scam reports by city in Japan
Other countries