Announcement and Scam Alert Targeting Japanese Individuals

We would like to inform our existing and potential customers, colleagues and our friends about an unusual and alarming occurrence that is aimed to fraudulently obtain your personal information, including your credit card numbers or money.

Scam:  Imposters who are posing as Japanese Customs Officers, Consulate Officials and/or Police Officers are contacting Japanese individuals in the USA and are deceiving them by stating that “prohibited drugs were found in a package you sent” through one of Yamato USA’s branch offices.  These imposters further pressure the victims by stating that their passports will be invalidated or deportations will occur if the victims don’t cooperate by submitting a police report and thereafter provide credit card numbers and or money or other personal information to the imposters.  It is a sophisticated scam and several imposters are typically involved to deceive the victims.

We regret to hear that these imposters are attempting to deceive others by using Yamato Transport ‘s name or its TAQBIN brand.  We also appreciate those who have approached us to report this alarming situation.

We urge anyone who receives a phone call and/or email from Japan Customs, Consulate and/or police officers relating a prohibited export to Japan to be treated with suspicion.  Most importantly, we ask you to please refrain from sharing your personal information with strangers, either by telephone or email, especially if they are attempting to extract credit card information or escalate a financial transaction.

FYI, each consulate in the US has issued a scam alert in Japanese.

http://www.portland.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_ja/index.html

http://www.sf.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/24_0827.html

http://www.la.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_ja/index.html

http://www.ny.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/News_110824.html