What is the "Post-Snow-Festival ATM Fraud" scam in Sapporo?

Question

Accepted Answer

During and immediately after the Sapporo Snow Festival (Yuki Matsuri) in February, fraudsters install card skimmers on high-traffic ATMs near Odori Park and the Susukino entertainment district. The devices are often professional-grade overlays that are hard to detect visually. Victims discover unauthorised withdrawals from their home accounts within days, as cloned card data is sold and used quickly. Withdraw cash before or early during the festival when ATM traffic is lower and devices are less likely to have been tampered with. Use ATMs inside Japan Post offices, Seven-Eleven convenience stores (Seven Bank ATMs are monitored), or Hokkaido Bank branches rather than standalone machines on the street. Always shield your PIN.

Money & ATM Scams in Sapporo

Post-Snow-Festival ATM Fraud

Experienced a scam here?