The victim is a man in his 40s from the Okhotsk General Subprefecture area.

According to the police, on August 21, the man received a call on his mobile phone from someone claiming to be a debt collector using an international phone number.

He was told that there was an unpaid registration fee for a website and that if he did not pay by the end of the day, he would face a lawsuit. He was then instructed to purchase ¥300,000 worth of electronic money.

The man followed the instructions and, while keeping the call connected, entered a convenience store. He purchased ¥100,000 in electronic money three times and provided the codes to the caller.

Later, when he was asked to pay another alleged unpaid fee, he became suspicious and consulted the police, leading to the discovery of the scam.

The police are warning the public: “Do not comply with unfamiliar or unverified payment demands. Please consult the police hotline at #9110.”

Bihoro Police Station

The Bihoro Police Station is a modern law enforcement facility located in the town of Bihoro, Hokkaido, Japan. While the station itself does not have a long, notable history as a cultural site, it serves the local community and is situated in a region known for its natural beauty, including the nearby Shiretoko National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Hokkaido

Hokkaido is Japan’s northernmost and second-largest island, historically inhabited by the indigenous Ainu people before significant Japanese settlement began in the late 19th century. It is renowned for its vast wilderness, national parks, and world-class ski resorts, offering a distinct culture and cuisine from the rest of Japan.

Okhotsk General Subprefecture

The Okhotsk General Subprefecture was a local government and military administrative office established by the Tokugawa shogunate in 1855 in Hakodate, Hokkaido. It was created to strengthen Japan’s northern coastal defenses and assert control over the region amidst increasing foreign interest, particularly from Russia. The site, which includes a reconstructed government building, serves as a museum today that showcases this period of Hokkaido’s history.