Maybe What's Scarier Than Bears Is Our "Vulnerability"? Thoughts on the Persistence of Online Scams

Lately, what catches my eye in the local newspaper more than bear sightings are news articles about "online scam victims."

Does anyone else feel a sense of "Oh, not again..." and at the same time, surprise at the sheer size of the financial losses, accompanied by a feeling of dissonance?

❓ Why Do People Get Scammed by Someone They've Never Met?

What stands out is the high number of scams using social media, particularly "LINE."

・People they befriended on social media.
・People who showed them "sympathy."
・People who pitched them shady "get-rich-quick schemes."

If they had met in person, it might be different, but I find myself asking, "How could they hand over large sums of money after only getting close on the internet, often just through everyday LINE?"

🚨 LINE is "Convenient" but "Dangerous"?

Undeniably, LINE is an extremely useful tool for safety checks during disasters, communications from schools/government, and free calls with family and friends. Its vital role during the Great East Japan Earthquake is well-remembered.

However, I feel that the flip side of that "convenience" harbors these dangers:

・Rapid spread of false information.
・Bullying or exclusion in group chats.
・Personal information leaks due to security setting errors.

It’s a "treasure tool" for those who master it, but one false step can lead directly to risk.

Due to this recognized risk, I have never used LINE, even when urged by friends or acquaintances. The basic tools on my iPhone are sufficient for communication; I have no problems.

💔 Did the Scammed Party Also Have a "Blind Spot"?

Despite the extensive awareness campaigns by local governments and the police, the fact that victims lose tens of thousands to tens of millions of yen almost daily leaves me with a strong sense of dissonance.

・Providing money to a love interest online without ever meeting.
・Driven by the desire to "grow assets," entrusting money to a suspicious financial planner.

These actions are precisely what should be handled with extra caution because they occur online. Yet, people execute them without hesitation.

At this point, I can't help but feel, "Didn't the scammed party act out of naivety or human desire?"

To be frank, I feel that at this stage, "the scammed party is at fault," and "they shouldn't complain even if they are scammed."

⚠️ Did You Consult Someone About That Action?

Perhaps the victims were targeted by malicious individuals who preyed on their desire to "get something good quietly by themselves" or "solve a problem without telling anyone," rather than consulting someone close to them.

Whenever I read articles about scam victims, I always think of these two points:

1. Why didn't they consult a trusted person first?
2. Why couldn't they take a step back and cool down *before* handing over the money, not after?

I am a trusting person myself, but precisely because of that, I make sure to approach things with a "skeptical eye" first, and then make a calm judgment. If I were still scammed, I would only have myself to blame for not judging others well.

✅ Conclusion: The Problem Isn't the "Tool," but the "Usage"

Any useful tool always has both a "good side" and a "bad side."

The issue isn't with useful tools like LINE or social media. The problem, I believe, lies in "how we use them" and "how we confront our own desires and naivety."

Even as technology evolves, scam tactics will always target our "vulnerabilities." Let's all strive to maintain calm judgment.