The “special frauds” are the ones made by phone, FAX, e-mail and others against people chosen at random and there is no personal encounter.
In the public opinion poll by Cabinet Office, about 80 % of those surveyed answered they “don’t believe they may suffer damage from special frauds”. But in Mie Prefecture, by the fourth year in a row to 2016, there were more than 100 cases of damage by special frauds and the damage amount surpassed 500 million yen. Elderly citizens are the main target of the frauds.
In order to minimize the damages, we will present what are the most common kinds of frauds and the prevention methods unveiled by Mie Prefectural Police.
[Most common frauds]
Ore-ore-Sagi – “Ore-ore” fraud
For example, a person pretends to be your son or grandson and explains that “I lost my bag containing my cell phone and the company’s documents. I need you lend me some money. I promise I will give you back the money “. In addition to it, some swindlers pretending to be police officers or lawyers make the victims transfer money to bank accounts, causing damages.
False income fraud
Through postal card sending (hagaki), e-mails or others to a large number of people, exhibiting false titles or unpaid fee of Internet use, making people transfer money or acquire electronic currency.
Loan guarantee fraud
Even there is no real loan the victim is defrauded as there is a loan, forcing the victim transfers the guarantee loan amount.
Refund fraud and others
Swindlers pretending to be workers from city office, social security offices, among others, defraud the victims saying something like “there is a medical spending refund. It will be possible to receive it if you carry out the procedures”, and make the victims transfer the money through an ATM.
Financial instruments transaction fraud
Swindlers send false information about companies’ shares, foreign currencies and funds and real estate shares by phone or pamphlets. After registering to it, people falling for the scam may lose money.
[Important points of damage prevention]
- If you receive calls regarding money and find something is unusual always consult the police (110) or your family.
- If you receive a call from an unknown person, hang up the phone for a moment and stay calm.
- Use the function of answering machine.
- Even if you are at home, answer the phone after waiting the other person leaves a message on answering machine.
- To confirm who is calling from the other side of the line, settle greetings among the members of your family and acquaintances.
- It is no possible to receive a refund by an ATM.
