Fraudulent scams target elderly women in Japan

Multiple fraud incidents have targeted elderly women in Japan, involving sophisticated impersonation tactics.

In Akita City, a woman in her 70s was defrauded of over 12.5 million yen. Scammers posing as postal workers claimed a package sent in her name contained cash and a bank card. The victim was then contacted by individuals impersonating police officers via video call, where they displayed fake identification. Under the pretense of investigating potential criminal involvement, the victim was coerced into transferring funds to various corporate accounts.

In Masaki, Ehime Prefecture, a woman in her 70s lost 5 million yen to a scammer posing as her son. The perpetrator claimed to have fathered a child through an affair and required money for alimony. The victim was subsequently instructed to hand the cash to a man posing as a legal professional in Matsuyama. The fraud was discovered after the victim lost contact with the suspects.