Japanese phone scammers expand operating bases to Southeast Asia

Recent arrests in Thailand sign of disturbing trend across the region

20190419 20190419 phone fraud thai

Phones at a house in Thailand from which an alleged gang of Japanese phone scammers made calls to targets in Japan © Kyodo

Nikkei staff writers

TOKYO -- The recent arrest of 15 Japanese men in Thailand who police allege ran a phone scam targeting mostly elderly people in Japan reflects a disturbing trend sweeping Southeast Asia.

Thai police raided a house in the central city of Pattaya on March 29 where the alleged fraud originated. Inside was a call center with about 50 internet telephones, along with notes on walls written in Japanese.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored ContentThis content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.