Izanau
Beta
  • English
  • 日本語
  • 中文
  • Articles
  • Jobs
  • Companies
  • Candidates
  • About
  • Students
  • 企業向け
  • 企業向け
  • FAQ
  • Work Tips
  • Life Tips
  • Register
  • Log In
日本語 中文
  • Home
  • Articles
  • Life
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Google+

Don't Get Scammed in Japan!

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

While Japan is relatively safe it is no stranger to scammers, know the warning signs and protect yourself from scammers!

life in JapanJobs in Japanwork in japanLive in JapanScams in JapanSagioreore sagiscammers in JapanSafety in Japanfake cop scamhey it's me scamJehovah’s witnesseslast paycheck scambar scams
Don't Get Scammed in Japan!

Hey, it’s me!

Japan is generally considered a very safe country, so it’s hard to imagine getting scammed there. However, recently in Japan, one scam in particular has been getting more and more frequent. It’s called the “Hey, it’s me,” scam or in Japanese オレオレサギ (ore ore sagi). This might be one you’ve heard of in your country as well. Someone calls, opening up with the titular “Hi, it’s me.” After the person on the other end of the line makes a guess as to the identity of the caller, the scam artist proceeds to insist they’re in an accident or some other tight situation, and need cash immediately. 

Though the number of recorded losses has gone down, cases jumped to record highs in 2018, and show a trend of continuing to climb. The number of reported cases has gone up by 7.5 percent in the past couple years. Most of these cases happen in big cities, and half of recent cases were in Tokyo, Saitama, and Kanagawa.

It seems easy enough to see through, but you’d be surprised how many people actually fall for it. Of course, like any scam, the technique has only grown more sophisticated over the years, with the conmen playing lawyers, or even policemen, crafting elaborate tales to make you think you’re in some kind of financial trouble. 

This isn’t the only scam that happens frequently in Japan, and there are many that target foreigners specifically. If you’re visiting or living in Japan, make sure you stay aware of the different dangers that do exist, infrequent as they may be.


Common Japanese Scams Targeting Foreigners


Hey, it’s Me!

Foreigners aren’t immune to these scam. If an unfamiliar number calls you, answer in your native language or pretend not to know Japanese. Chances are they’ll give up and leave you alone.

Or if you're feeling bold and want to help stop their nefarious behaviour, play along on the initial call and document any vital information and after you hang up contact the police and give them all the information you gathered. The more evidence the police gather the more chance the scammers can be stopped. 

Bar Scams in Japan

Bar Scams

There are a couple different bar scams. Some might involve tricking you into a bar for an inexpensive cost, then gradually racking up your bill until by the end of the night you’re thousands of dollars in debt to the bar. This happens often in Tokyo’s Kabukichou. 

Another, more dangerous scam involves people spiking foreigners’ drinks in order to steal their wallets, passports, or extort them for money when they wake, claiming they owe the bar a ridiculous amount. There have also been reports of sexual assault, Don’t let your guard down just because you’re in Japan.

Fake Cop Scams

It can be very intimidating if a cop approaches and speaks to you in your own language, let alone a foreign one. It's not uncommon for police to approach foreigners and ask them for ID or documentation and be questioned about why they are in Japan by the police. Generally they are nice about it and send you on your way after a quick chat, but that might not always be the case. 

The danger here is that most of us wouldn't think twice about handing over our residence card to someone in uniform, but there are some cases where you should be wary. This 2014 Japan Times article details the rare scam of people impersonating police officers and targeting foreigners, due to required ID laws that differ between foreigners and native Japanese people. If a police officer approaches you and looks suspicious (some impersonators will walk around in normal clothes), ask to see their badge, or go to your nearest kouban. The article also has a few handy phrases to try and sniff out imposters.

46733bce-ae34-11e9-9111-062e737cfa80.jpeg

Donation Scams

These might be the most common one. You’ll often see fake monks in Akihabara, who will come around asking for donations. They might even have books with names and donation amounts written in them, but they’re likely fake. 

Along this same vein, people might ask for donations for disaster relief, or a Thai orphans fund. It might sound like a good cause, but it’s probable the only person who will get your donation dollars is the person you gave them to. 


Cults and Religious Groups 

Getting dragged into a cult activity in Japan sounds like a bad joke, but it’s a very serious and real possibility. It's actually not uncommon for seemingly friendly people to approach you on the street or in a Tullys and just strike up a pleasant conversation. They may compliment your backpack or ask you about the store you just came out of, anything to get you talking. 

Often they will approach you in English so as a foreigner you may feel, "oh thats nice, foreigners in Japan are being friendly with other foreigners, " or, " it's nice to speak in English with a Japanese person." They might even express interest in engaging in a language exchange with you. Especially since so many foreigners in Japan are English teachers or already do have language exchange partners, it may not seem unusual for someone want to do a language exchange. 

But be cautious because sometimes the extreme openness is too good to be true. They might ask you one prying question to make you pause and then of course, offer you the solution - Religion. Other times they might even get you to exchange contact information and set up another meeting armed with information pamphlets all with the motivation to recruit you into their cult. 

It starts simply, "just come to one meeting, the people are really nice and no commitment required — let us share with you our philosophies, that have helped so many better their lives." But it's a slippery slope from there. Cults are a problem in Japan. They might try to entice people in with the idea of volunteer work and make an attempt to brainwash or kidnap people who visit their meetings. Be very wary about where you go, and who you go with. 

Jehovah’s witnesses or other Christian groups aren’t too uncommon. They can get pretty aggressive in their recruiting as well, knocking relentlessly, or bodily attempting to enter your apartment. If someone you don’t know knocks on the door and you don’t know them, or feel uncomfortable, not answering is usually the best solution.

Last paycheck scam

This can affect people who are temporarily working in Japan. Some companies might try to get away with not paying your last paycheck, because once you return back to your home country there’s not much you can do about it. Make sure to review your contract thoroughly and do your research about the company you’re getting involved with.

Be vigilant

No one ever thinks they could be the victim of a scam, but it’s not impossible. Stay vigilant and if something seems suspicious, follow your instincts and ask questions, rather than just going along with it. Don’t let your visit to Japan be tainted with a scam!




----------------------------------------------

Want to work in Japan?

Sign up here to connect directly with Japanese companies. 

Or check out our latest job postings here.



  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Google+
About the Author
Miranda Reeder

I've been in love with Japan since I was twelve years old. After studying at Kansei Gakuin University and teaching for three years under the protection of Mount Tate in scenic Toyama prefecture (where you'll find the most beautiful Starbucks in the world), I returned stateside to attend Kent State University to get my Masters in Japanese Translation. Now I've been given the wonderful opportunity to intern at IZANAU for what's sure to be a glorious summer.

  • Latest Jobs
ドローンサービスのフロント・バックエンド業務
Other IT, Communications
DAIYASERVICE Inc.
ドローンによる空撮・インフラ点検・実証実験のフロントおよびバックエンドの業務を担当頂きたいと思います。かなり多岐に渡りますので、マルチタスクが好きな方を歓迎します。その他、ブロックコーディングソフト「Scratch」を使用したプログラミング教室の講師のお仕事もございます。
Monthly Salary ¥20 ~ ¥30
Chiba 千葉市花見川区
Full-time
Apply Now
Brand Ambassador
Business Consulting, Think-tanks
INS Global KK
Type of contract: commission only Supervisor: Operations Manager Work Location: Japan - Remote Work (Office based in Tokyo)
Tokyo Minamiaoyama, Minato-ku
Not applicable
Apply Now
English teacher for kids in Gifu prefecture
Education, Training
英会話スクールWin
We are currently accepting applications for a position of a new part-time native English Instructor. We are a fun but professional organization and give students practical English lessons. We are looking for somebody to ...
Monthly Salary ¥160K ~ ¥190K
Gifu 可児市皐ケ丘4-13
Part-time
Apply Now
Latest Articles
  • Monday, October 26, 2020
  • Labor Shortages in Japan (July 2020 Statistics)

  • Friday, October 16, 2020
  • What Might Japan’s Energy Future Look Like?

  • Thursday, October 8, 2020
  • Jobs in Japan During a Global Pandemic

  • Sunday, September 6, 2020
  • Discrimination and Stigma in Japanese Society: The Case of COVID-19

  • Tuesday, August 4, 2020
  • Racism Denial: The Case of Japan

  • Friday, July 17, 2020
  • Labor Shortages in Japan (May 2020 Statistics)

  • Tuesday, June 23, 2020
  • Homelessness, Social Stigma, and Fringes of Japanese Society

  • Monday, June 8, 2020
  • Gambling, Pachinko and the Impact of the COVID-19

  • Friday, June 5, 2020
  • Government Support for International Students and Foreigners Living in Japan During the Coronavirus

  • Monday, May 18, 2020
  • COVID-19 and University Life in Japan

  • Saturday, May 9, 2020
  • How to Apply for the ¥100,000 Coronavirus Government Support Money

  • Wednesday, May 6, 2020
  • To Those Who Have Lost Their Jobs Because of the State of Emergency In Japan

  • Wednesday, April 29, 2020
  • What is it like being LGBT in Japan?

  • Friday, April 24, 2020
  • ¥100,000 Japanese Government Support Money. Do you qualify?

  • Thursday, April 23, 2020
  • Visas and Government Support for Foreigners During the Coronavirus in Japan

  • Thursday, April 16, 2020
  • Why Can’t Japan Work From Home?

  • Friday, April 3, 2020
  • Japan Coronavirus Information Site List by Prefecture (Phone Consultations Available)

  • Monday, March 30, 2020
  • Job Search Support for International Students in Japan

  • Tuesday, March 24, 2020
  • The Coronavirus and the Olympics

  • Thursday, March 12, 2020
  • What to do during Volcanic Eruptions in Japan

  • Wednesday, March 4, 2020
  • Qualifying for the Highly Skilled Foreign Professional Visa Schedule (1) in Japan

  • Thursday, February 27, 2020
  • What to do when you miss the last train home in Japan

  • Friday, February 21, 2020
  • Viral and Vulnerable: Japan and the Coronavirus

  • Tuesday, February 18, 2020
  • Japan’s Future: Will they embrace their hāfu population?

  • Wednesday, February 12, 2020
  • Jobs with Labor Shortages in Japan, Ranked (2019) January 2020 Update

  • Thursday, February 6, 2020
  • Hāfu: What it means to Japanese in a Changing Japan

  • Saturday, November 30, 2019
  • A Beginner’s Guide to the Labyrinth of Dating Apps in Japan

  • Thursday, November 21, 2019
  • Racing with Marriage - A Peculiar Trend of Modern Japan

  • Friday, November 1, 2019
  • Cost of living in Japan: Housing

  • Thursday, October 31, 2019
  • MyMizu App - Water tapping app in Japan

See All Articles

Work in Japan, Enjoy Japan

Finding a job abroad may seem challenging, but Izanau is here to make the process simple. Register now and you're one step closer to enjoying your new life in Japan.
Register your account

Jobs In Japan Made Simple
Copyright © 2021 Active Gaming Media. All Rights Reserved
About Izanau
  • Contact Us
SiteMap
  • Articles
  • Jobs
  • Companies
  • Candidates
Terms of Use
  • For Candidates
  • For Corporations
Privacy
  • Privacy Policy
IZANAUパートナープログラム
  • 紹介会社様はこちら
IZANAUパートナープログラム
  • 外国人材を紹介したい方はこちら
Sign Up
  • For Candidates
  • For Corporations
Language
  • English
  • 日本語
  • 中文
Follow Us
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Izanau.