There's no shame in being deceived! ~How to prevent becoming a victim of fraud~

Recently, I often see articles about people who have fallen victim to fraud in the local newspaper. When I see the victims, I feel astonished and at the same time, I also feel a little sorry for them.

The Internet is a useful tool, but at the same time, it is a chaotic world. There are countless gossip sites and scams. In particular, fake advertising scams that pose as celebrities have been a common tactic for a long time. It seems so shady, but it's strange that some people still fall for them.

Even if you know it's a lie, do you jump at it as a last resort, or do you go along with it lightly? It's true that if you're caught off guard for even a moment, anyone can be fooled. But social media is a goldmine for scammers. It's like a duck coming at you with a leek on its back.

All you have to do is register on an SNS and spread fake information, then wait for your victim. Personal information is easily obtained, and a clever trap can be set up. It's impossible to hand over money to a complete stranger, even if you've only just become friends with them and can trust them. It seems too suspicious to ask you to buy hundreds of thousands of yen worth of electronic money at a convenience store, right? And yet, the person who is deceived stops thinking. They are completely in the palm of the other person's hand. Then, after transferring the money, they calm down and realize, "This is suspicious!" But it's too late. The moment you fall into the scammer's trap, you've already lost.

The important thing is not to "not be deceived" but to "think with the assumption that you will be deceived"

There is no shame in being a victim of fraud. Rather, it is more shameful to be unable to talk to anyone about the fraud you have suffered. Don't suffer alone, talk to someone. Family, friends, the police, lawyers... If you talk to someone you can trust, you will surely find a solution.

If you absolutely cannot consult with anyone, use the convenient "search" function on the Internet. Even if you don't normally use it, anyone with a browser can search. If you search for the name of the person you are looking for or the name of a product, you should find information about fraud. You will likely find some kind of information to warn you of the dangers, such as "warnings" or "victim reports."

To be honest, if you are not good at using the Internet, you should refrain from using social media.

If you feel like you might be scammed, take a deep breath and stay calm. Think again about whether you really need the product or the money. Anyone can become a victim of fraud. The important thing is to always be careful to avoid becoming a victim, and if you suspect something is wrong, tell someone around you.

Article of January 17, 2020
URL: fraud is next to you