Damages from gold bullion purchases due to special fraud rapidly increase, reaching 8.13 billion yen in the first half of the year

The number of victims defrauding gold bullion such as slabs purchased through special fraud is rapidly increasing. Damage from January to June was 8.13 billion yen, already exceeding last year's total of 6.02 billion yen. The National Police Agency requested cooperation in preventing damage by distributing a checklist to detect fraud to dealers and requesting them to report the fraud.

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According to the National Police Agency, two-thirds of the total, or approximately 5.3 billion yen, was a "fake police scam" made under the guise of an investigation. They deceive people by telling them, ``Your account has been used for a crime,'' and ``If you send them gold bullion, the investigation will be completed more quickly.'' Even in SNS-type investment scams, damages amounting to about 2 billion yen have been caused by people being asked to buy gold to ``apply it to investments.''

Gold appears to be targeted because, unlike remittances at financial institutions, there is no daily limit or system to monitor suspicious operations, and it is easy to carry around even if it is a large amount. Due to the soaring price of gold, the amount of damage per case is approximately 52.5 million yen, nearly 10 times the average amount for special fraud.

The money they had purchased was left at designated locations such as doorsteps or park benches, and the criminals collected it. Collection duties are often performed by foreigners hired overseas. It has also been confirmed that victims are tricked into buying gold through mail order and having it delivered to a specified location.

Ninety percent of the victims were in their 60s or older, and many of them only made transactions after being instructed by the criminals on how to buy and from whom. In addition to issuing warnings, the National Police Agency requested dealers to cooperate with countermeasures through industry organizations in June, in an effort to prevent damage through awareness on the part of dealers.

In response to the request, we created a check sheet containing dozens of items that summarized the characteristics common among fraud victims. Based on this, we confirm the purpose of purchase and storage method, and if we notice any discrepancies or suspicious points in the responses, we ask them to report it. In some cases, the criminals give instructions such as ``say it's for investment purposes,'' but by checking multiple items from multiple angles, the company says it makes it easier to spot fraud. The company plans to compile a collection of case studies and provide training to store and telephone sales personnel.

In addition, the agency is requesting that certain limits be placed on the amount and delivery period when customers make new transactions or register as members. A representative said, ``Although it is a heavy burden on business operators, we would like to persistently encourage their cooperation in preventing the spread of serious fraud damage.''