Question 1

What is the "Dating App Bar Setup" scam in Tokyo?

Accepted Answer

A match made on Tinder, Bumble, or Japanese apps like Pairs initiates contact and arranges to meet at a specific bar in Kabukicho, claiming they wanted to try the place. Once inside, the "date" orders multiple rounds using games where penalty drinks are excluded from flat-rate packages and priced individually at thousands of yen each. The bill can easily reach 50,000-200,000 yen before the contact slips away. Shinjuku Police reported over 360 complaints from this scheme alone by late 2024, with total losses exceeding 140 million yen. Never let a dating app match choose the venue — suggest a neutral, well-known izakaya chain yourself. If a new acquaintance insists on a specific obscure bar in Kabukicho, treat it as a red flag. Leave immediately if the bill structure seems designed to exclude items from the agreed package.

Question 2

What is the "Drink Spiking and Card Fraud" scam in Tokyo?

Accepted Answer

In Kabukicho and Roppongi, tourists have their drinks spiked with sedatives at certain nightclubs and hostess-style bars. Once incapacitated, staff or associates use contactless payment, Face ID, or PIN-guessing to drain bank accounts, charge credit cards multiple times, and in some cases steal cryptocurrency via unlocked phones. British and US government advisories specifically flag Kabukicho and Roppongi as high-risk zones for this crime. At least one documented 2025 case involved a victim losing $20,000 USD in cryptocurrency after his phone was accessed via Face ID while unconscious. Never accept drinks from strangers or leave a beverage unattended. In Kabukicho and Roppongi, avoid bars you have not researched in advance. Use a strong PIN rather than biometric unlock when in nightlife districts. Travel with a companion if visiting these areas at night. Contact your card issuer immediately if you suspect fraud.

Question 3

What is the "Fake Police Phone Extortion" scam in Tokyo?

Accepted Answer

Scam callers impersonating Tokyo Metropolitan Police officers contact tourists and short-term residents on their mobile phones — often displaying an actual police station number via spoofing — claiming the victim's bank account has been flagged in a criminal investigation or their visa is under scrutiny. They instruct victims to transfer funds to a so-called safe account or purchase gift cards to resolve the matter. Japan's National Police Agency recorded sharp increases in these cases in 2025, with losses exceeding 31.6 billion yen in the first five months alone; around 80% of fraudulent calls originated from international numbers with a + prefix. Real police officers in Japan never request money transfers or gift card purchases over the phone. If you receive such a call, hang up immediately. If concerned, call the Tokyo Metropolitan Police directly on 110 to verify. Never call back any number the caller provides.

Question 4

What is the "Fake Charity Petition Scam" scam in Tokyo?

Accepted Answer

Well-dressed individuals approach tourists near Shinjuku Station, Shibuya Crossing, and Harajuku holding clipboards with official-looking charity documents. They claim to be raising funds for a recent global disaster and display a sheet showing large donation amounts supposedly given by previous donors — amounts the scammers wrote themselves. No legitimate charity receives the money. Perpetrators specifically target foreign visitors, speak English fluently, and create a sense of social obligation before making a direct cash request. Do not hand cash to anyone approaching you on the street with a clipboard. Legitimate charities in Japan do not conduct street collections this way. If you want to donate to a cause, look up the organisation independently online and donate through their official website.

Other Tourist Scams in Tokyo

Dating App Bar Setup

Drink Spiking and Card Fraud

Fake Police Phone Extortion

Fake Charity Petition Scam

Experienced a scam here?