High riskFake order problem
We cannot confirm your payment. If you do not transfer to the account below today, we will take legal action.
GoalMake you pay twice, or obtain your account number and PIN
A personal account, and threats of "legal action"
How scammers lure you to LINE and make you transfer money
Messages that appear to misuse order information are being used to sound convincing, move the conversation to LINE, and get people to transfer money or enter card details.
Messages offering an "apology" or a "refund" are the most dangerous right now. The diagrams below show how these scams work and how to spot them.
- A correct order number or amount does not prove a message is genuine
- We will never ask you to transfer money or use an ATM to receive a refund
How the scam works
STEP 1Obtain leaked data
Name, phone number, address, order number, amount
STEP 2Contact by email, SMS or phone
Quote real order details to gain trust
"Regarding your order No. A-20419"
STEP 3Move you to LINE
Ask you to add an account by QR code or ID, often using the store's logo
"Please complete the process on our official LINE"
STEP 4Build trust one-on-one
Polite language and a named contact person, then questions about your bank account or ID
STEP 5Make you pay or enter card details
Transfer to a personal account, card entry on a fake site, buying gift cards
"Please go to an ATM to receive your refund"
STEP 6Make you pay again
"We sent you too much by mistake", "A fee is needed to withdraw"
Scammers move to LINE because people reply more readily there, the conversation is hidden from others, and the account can be deleted to escape.
Most common: an "apology refund" that is really a transfer
Right after an incident is announced, many people expect an apology, which makes this the riskiest period. The conversation below is an example made for explanation.
Dear Ms. Yamada, we apologize for the personal data leak. We will fully refund your order No. A-20419 (¥9,800).
Thank you. What should I do?
Refunds are accepted only until 5 pm today. After that we cannot refund you.
Please log in to online banking and select "Transfer". The recipient is Refund Center (YAMAMOTO TARO).
Enter your refund code "98500" in the amount field and confirm.
Done.
A system error occurred. Please try again with another code…
- They quote your real order
Even if your name, order number and amount are correct, this does not prove the message is genuine.
- They set a deadline
This stops you from thinking or asking your family. Be suspicious of any message that rushes you.
- A "refund" that opens a transfer screen
The recipient is a personal account. Refunds are never made by you sending money to a personal account.
- A "code" goes in the amount field
They call it a "verification code" or "refund code", but the number becomes the amount you send (see below).
- An "error" makes you repeat it
It does not stop at one payment. They use new codes and new accounts again and again.
What the victim thinks
"If I enter refund code 98500, I will get ¥9,800 back."
They believe they are just entering a code to confirm.
They believe they are just entering a code to confirm.
What actually happens on screen
Confirm transfer
Bank○○ Bank, △△ Branch
Account nameYAMAMOTO TARO
Amount¥98,500
Fee¥220
No money comes back. ¥98,500 is sent to the scammer.
Other common methods
The opening differs, but in the end they always want your money or your personal information.
High riskCard entry on a fake site
To process your refund, please enter your card number and expiry date on the page below.
GoalSteal card numbers, security codes and one-time passwords
WASABI SWITCH holds no card data and never asks for card details for a refund
High riskFake identity check
To investigate misuse, please send photos of your driver's license and cash card.
GoalOpen accounts in your name or use your ID in other scams
Asking for photos of cards or ID over LINE
High riskSurvey or side job
Answer our customer survey and receive a reward. Please contact our staff on LINE.
GoalPay a small reward first, then demand prepayment for "bigger tasks" or fees to withdraw
Paying money in order to receive a reward
CautionPayment by gift card
Please buy ¥30,000 of gift cards at a convenience store and send a photo of the codes.
GoalHard to trace and quick to cash out
Payment by gift cards or e-money
High riskPromise to recover losses
This is the consumer center. We will recover compensation for the leak. Please pay a retainer.
GoalTarget people who have already been scammed
Public agencies never ask for a retainer
If any of these apply, stop
- A refund that requires a transfer or ATM
You never need to operate an ATM or online banking to receive money.
- Transfer to a personal account
An account that changes with each message is another warning sign.
- "Today only" pressure
Deadlines are there to stop you from thinking.
- Gift cards or e-money
Asking for the codes on the back of gift cards is a classic scam.
- Requests for card numbers, PINs or ID
We never ask for these by LINE or email.
- Moving from email or SMS to LINE
Be suspicious if you are directed to a contact not listed on this site.
A correct order number or amount does not prove a message is genuine.
If you are unsure, do not use links or phone numbers in the message. Contact us through the inquiry desk on this site.
In connection with this incident, we will never ask you to
- Contact us on LINE or add a LINE account
- Transfer money or use an ATM or online banking to receive a refund
- Enter or tell us your card number, bank account number or PIN
- Pay with gift cards or e-money
- Send photos of your driver's license or cash card
- Pay a retainer or fee for "compensation"
If you have already transferred money or entered card details
ImmediatelyBank / card issuer
Contact the receiving and sending banks, or the card issuer on the back of your card.
Under the Japanese bank transfer fraud relief law, the scammer's account may be frozen and part of the balance returned. The sooner, the better.Also#9110
Police consultation line. You can also contact the cybercrime desk of your prefectural police.
Keep the LINE conversation, transfer receipt and the scammer's account details.For advice188
Consumer hotline. Connects you to your local consumer affairs center.
Avoid businesses that contact you offering to "recover your losses". They often cause further harm.The chat screens, account names and order numbers on this page are examples made for explanation. They are not related to any real store or person.