A police officer stands by as a bank employee cautions an elderly woman about bank transfer fraud in Osaka on Wednesday. The National Police Agency sent 58,000 officers to bank ATMs across the country Wednesday which was pension payment day.

58,000 police deployed to ATMS to stop bank transfer fraud on pension payment day

Thursday 16th October, 05:59 AM JST

TOKYO —

Some 58,000 police officers were mobilized at automated teller machines nationwide Wednesday in a sweeping crackdown on scams swindling elderly people out of cash.

Police say tens of thousands of elderly people have been targeted in recent years by scammers pretending to be their grandchildren or other people in need of quick money.

The National Police Agency said it deployed some 58,000 officers to patrol about 81,000 automated teller machines, or 83% of the ATMs across Japan.

The officers alerted elderly people not to transfer money hastily on unconfirmed demands.

“Today is a pension payment day, when a large amount of money is deposited into bank accounts of the elderly,” Shinji Ibayashi, chief of Tokyo’s Kitazawa police station, said.

“We must make utmost efforts to prevent any more harm from the bank transfer scam,” he said.

In the scam—known locally as “It’s me!” fraud—criminals tell elderly people they are their children or grandchildren and need money because they were caught in traffic accidents or in minor crimes.

When potential victims press for details, the criminal repeatedly says, “It’s me, it’s me!” and gives details of a bank account.

Fraudsters have extorted a total of 21.4 billion yen through “It’s me” or similar scams in the eight months through August, according to police. Police have caught 346 alleged perpetrators.

New forms of the scam include telling people over the telephone they need to pay money for legal fees or for fictitious purchases of adult movies.

Wire reports

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Latest 15 of 30 Total Comments Show All

thepro at 11:04 AM JST - 16th October

wouldn't a sign on the atm be sufficient? then the 58,000 could be put to actually catching some criminals.

Nah, the image of doing something is always more important than actually doing something over here. Announcing a huge number of cops out there makes it look like they are cracking down, when its really just a waste of manpower, time, money.
Samuraiiki at 11:07 AM JST - 16th October

wrong solution to an endemic problem of lack of love and care for the elderly.
WilliB at 12:46 PM JST - 16th October

Look at the positive side: It is a good day to ride a bicycle, with all the cops guarding ATMs.
Pivot at 12:52 PM JST - 16th October

There are actually signs and campaigns all over the place on ATMs, and if you haven't noticed them, what are the chances that the aged would? A personal/human touch is a great idea but as always, the issue lies in execution of the plan.
tenkiishi at 01:15 PM JST - 16th October

This type of scam is not just a problem in Japan but I bet everywhere. An elderly couple in my hometown back in my country fell for it just last month.
tzvete at 01:20 PM JST - 16th October

Tenkiishi is quite right.The Japanese are naive,so they are most likely to believe anyone.
fatloser at 01:51 PM JST - 16th October

That's slanderous!! They ain't so naive!! The elderly forget things,they panic and they worry-fret!!!!!!!! The NPA should make it illegal to sell used bank accounts over the internet,as a start!! They probably want to impress the only section of the populace that has any respect for them-the elderly.
some14some at 03:45 PM JST - 16th October

Despite strong presence of police force, four cases of fraud took place yesterday (source: NHK)
nisegaijin at 03:56 PM JST - 16th October

I hope there will less of them riding around on them bikes pulling people over.
Apsara at 06:14 PM JST - 16th October

There have also been reports on the news of the police managing to prevent people from making transfers to criminals, so it's not all a complete waste of time. These days a popular tactic by the scam artists is to call people and tell them they owe money for taxes or insurance premiums- they are getting a bit more sophisticated than just calling and claiming to be a family member.
gogogo at 07:41 PM JST - 16th October

Damn they actually caught people... that number is massive most likely all yakuza.
Hughgarse at 11:13 AM JST - 17th October

58,000?? Whatever! someone is talking porkie pies here.. So, they are saying that there are 18,000 more cops stationed for this than the APEC summit?? bollox!
GenevaMan at 01:06 PM JST - 18th October

58 000 cops... 50 for a naked spanish grandpa, 30 for a monkey in Shibuya (still at large btw)? Coudl anyone enlighten me about the NPA*s proportionality doctrine? And about their legendary efficiency?
nigelboy at 01:49 PM JST - 18th October

And about their legendary efficiency?

Depends on what you mean by efficiency.

There are approximately 1.81 cops/1,000 people in Japan. 19.177 crimes per 1,000 people.

I could name a few developed nations that have more cops per capita coupled with more crimes per capita but I'm sure people will make a conclusion that "more crimes are committed hence more cops." But on the flip side, one can also conclude that Japanese people commit less crimes which is like giving "credit" to the Japanese society. And of course, that's a big no no here.
GenevaMan at 02:32 PM JST - 18th October

This ATM campaign is here to reassure Obaasan. And that*s all fine. Everyone is happy; also this might the new J-Cop pastime,after checking if any DPRK spy would have hijacked bycicles.