TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (外交部) announced on Tuesday (Dec. 16) that the number of Taiwanese individuals involved in fraud cases in Japan has surged tenfold this year, reaching 50 in December. This alarming increase has prompted officials to urge citizens to refrain from engaging in illegal activities for short-term gains. The Taiwan-Japan Relations Association (台灣日本關係協會) has reported frequent notifications from Japanese authorities regarding Taiwanese arrests linked to fraud since the beginning of the year.
Taiwan-Japan Relations Association Deputy Secretary-General Lin Yu-hui (林郁慧) highlighted the stark rise in cases, noting that in 2023, authorities arrested only four Taiwanese individuals. However, this year, the number has surged to 50. Many Taiwanese have fallen victim to deceptive online job offers, known as "yami baito" (闇バイト), which falsely promise free travel or work opportunities in Japan, leading them unknowingly into illegal activities.
Lin emphasized that while Taiwanese citizens are generally more cautious about scams in Southeast Asia, the increase in online fraud targeting Japan has caught some off guard, resulting in unintentional legal violations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has committed to monitoring the situation closely and urges Taiwanese nationals to respect Japanese laws and avoid risking imprisonment for temporary benefits.
The Yomiuri Shimbun (讀賣新聞) reported that a Chinese national, who entered Japan on a student visa in 2018, was misled by a post on Rednote (小紅書) recruiting for "yami baito." He was sentenced in May to 2.5 years in prison and suspended for four years. As authorities continue to address this issue, they call for increased awareness and caution among Taiwanese citizens abroad.