United States of America / United States of America (Northern Mariana Islands) travel advisories

Warning about special fraud cases (How to avoid becoming a perpetrator (Part 2))

Dec. 16, 2024, midnight wide area information

We would like to provide you with a warning about special fraud cases (How to avoid becoming a perpetrator (Part 2)).

Alert for terrorism in Europe and the US

Dec. 9, 2024, midnight wide area information

During holiday and event seasons such as Christmas and New Year, there are increased gatherings and movements of people, which raises concerns that the possibility of terrorist attacks increases.
* In recent years, in Europe and the United States, there have been frequent terrorist attacks targeting places where security and surveillance are weak and where many ordinary citizens gather (soft targets). In particular, areas near tourist facilities, event venues, restaurants, hotels, shopping malls, public transportation, religious facilities, etc. are prone to terrorist attacks and require constant caution.
○ Always make an effort to obtain the latest information and take sufficient precautions to ensure your safety.

Warning about special fraud (to avoid becoming a victim)

Nov. 29, 2024, midnight wide area information

We will issue wide-area information on special frauds.

Caution regarding protests and other activities related to the situation in the Middle East

Oct. 5, 2024, midnight wide area information

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Information on overseas safety measures seminar (online viewing)

Dec. 20, 2024, 8:26 a.m.

As part of our safety measures for Japanese nationals living overseas, we will be holding an online seminar on overseas safety measures from today until January 9th at 7pm (local time). You can watch the seminar any time during the period by accessing the following URL.
The purpose of this seminar is to raise awareness of crisis management and safety measures among Japanese nationals and companies living overseas and to strengthen safety measures, and the content will focus on safety measures taking into account the current public safety situation in Florida.
Florida has many famous tourist destinations, but there is also a risk of becoming a victim of crime. We hope that by watching this seminar, you will have the opportunity to review the current crime situation and take measures to protect yourself.

Format: Recorded seminar (available for viewing at the following URL)
https://vimeo.com/1036968161
Period: Thursday, December 19, 2024 to Thursday, January 9, 2025, 7:00 p.m. (local time)
Contents: Dealing with gun crime in Florida, things to be careful of in a car-driven society, key points for everyday life Duration: Approximately 25 minutes Created by: Control Risks Group Co., Ltd. Seminar Team Content inquiries: j-het@controlrisks.com

[Consulate-General of Japan in Miami]
Consulate General of Japan in Miami
80 SW 8th Street, Suite 3200, Miami, FL 33130
Phone: 305-530-9090
Representative website: http://www.miami.us.emb-japan.go.jp

This email address is for sending only.
○This email is automatically sent to the email addresses registered in your residence notification, email newsletter, and Tabi-Regi.
If you have signed up for Tabi-Regi and would like to stop receiving emails, please follow the procedure to stop receiving emails from the URL below.
URL: https://www.ezairyu.mofa.go.jp/tabireg/simple/delete

Fraudulent activities involving people impersonating consulate officials, customs officials, and police officers

Dec. 13, 2024, 7:11 a.m.

[Main text]
1. Overview of the cases reported to the Embassy (1) Case 1
-I received a phone call from someone claiming to be Mr. Ishikawa from the Consulate General of Japan in New York who said, "A large amount of money has been deposited into an account in your name by a group of criminals, and it is being used for money laundering," and "A mobile phone that was fraudulently contracted in your name is being used by a group of specialized fraudsters."
-The call was transferred to someone named Sakai at the Yamaguchi Prefectural Police, and the interview was conducted via LINE video call under the pretext of an "interrogation to prepare a report remotely," during which personal information and credit card numbers were requested.
(2) Case 2
-I received a phone call from someone claiming to be Kawasaki from the Customs Investigation Division, who said, "Prohibited drugs were found in the package you sent from the United States to Japan by courier."
-My call was transferred to someone named Sato at the airport police station, who urged me to appear there on the same day and file a complaint, but when I told him that this would be difficult, I was told that "your passport will be revoked and you will be deported," as well as "you are now a suspect, so you should not mention this to anyone," "you should not answer other calls," and "even if you consult with the consulate, the consulate does not have the authority to resolve this."

2. To prevent yourself or someone close to you from becoming a victim: (1) Please spread the word that these types of frauds are occurring to as many people as possible.
(2) Japanese public institutions will never request remittances in the name of taxes, fines, or bail without following proper procedures.
(3) Ignore any suspicious phone calls, emails, or social media messages that you do not recognize.
(4) Even if you receive a call from someone claiming to be from a socially reputable institution, do not readily disclose detailed personal information (such as your SSN, credit card number, or PIN number).
(5) Hang up the phone and consult with your family, friends, colleagues, or the consulate. (There have been cases where people have been told that "consulting the consulate will not solve the problem" or "the consulate is in on it, so you should not consult them.")

3. Related information: December 9, 2024 [Safety measures] Beware of special fraud https://www.atlanta.us.emb-japan.go.jp/files/100767246.pdf
・November 29, 2024 (wide area information)
Warning about special fraud
https://www.anzen.mofa.go.jp/info/pcwideareaspecificinfo_2024C049.html
・November 15, 2020 (consular email)
Warning about scams involving people pretending to be customs officials or police officers https://www.atlanta.us.emb-japan.go.jp/files/100755616.pdf
・October 8, 2020 (consular email)
Attempted fraud case targeting Japanese nationals https://www.atlanta.us.emb-japan.go.jp/files/100736860.pdf

Consulate-General of Japan in Atlanta
Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta
Phipps Tower Suite 850
3438 Peachtree Road
Atlanta, GA 30326
TEL: (404) 240‐4300
EMAIL: ryoji@aa.mofa.go.jp

[A sharp increase in consultations regarding special frauds!!] About the methods of fraud identified by our institution

Dec. 13, 2024, 1:11 a.m.

[Main text]
1. Fraudulent phone calls from people pretending to be Japanese customs officials or police officers Recently, there has been a rise in fraudsters who make anxiety-inducing phone calls, claiming to be Japanese customs officials or police officers, saying things like, "Illegal drugs have been found in the luggage you sent to Japan. You may be deported to Japan or your passport may be revoked, so we would like you to follow our instructions." They then try to get your credit card number.
Japanese customs officials and police officers will never hint at deportation or the expiration of your passport. This is a scam tactic, so do not comply with their demands and hang up the phone immediately.

2. Fraudulent phone calls from people pretending to be from local financial institutions or police officers We have confirmed cases of fraud in which people claiming to be bank employees call and say, "Your account is being used for money laundering. Your account may be frozen or you may be arrested by the police."
In the middle of a call, someone claiming to be a police officer will appear on the phone and demand that "In order to prove that you are not involved in any crime, we need to monitor your actions for several days. We ask that you continue to broadcast your image on SKYPE or other services," putting the person in a situation where they are unable to turn to anyone for advice.
After that, when they find themselves unable to make rational decisions, they will ask you to transfer money to a specified account. This is a type of fraud, so you should not comply with their demands.

3. Fake text messages posing as USPS staff: A scam has been confirmed for some time in which the USPS sends a text message saying, "We are unable to deliver your package to you as we are missing information necessary for customs clearance. Please enter the necessary information, such as your ZIP code, on the page linked below," and directs you to a web page to obtain a personal account. With Christmas just around the corner, there will be many opportunities to give and receive gifts. If you do not recognize the sender and suspect something is wrong, do not click on the link instructed by the sender, but contact the USPS directly to confirm.

4. Real estate fraud using information exchange sites In November of this year, when a person was about to be transferred to the Boston area, he posted on a local Japanese information exchange site that he was “looking for a rental property,” and was then scammed into by an individual claiming to be Japanese who introduced him to a fictitious real estate company and rental property.
After paying the contract fee and part of the rent to the agent introduced to him, when he tried to move out, he found out that the property did not exist. He was unable to contact the person who introduced him or the agent, and was forced to find a new place to live. There have been cases of fraud involving fictitious rental properties for some time, but this was the first time that a case of fraud involving communication in Japanese had been heard of.
Even if you think the other party is Japanese, you should never let your guard down and be careful during contract negotiations to check for anything suspicious or the possibility of fraud.

We have introduced the types of fraud we receive the most inquiries about at our Embassy. All of the methods are complex and sophisticated, and unfortunately, there are also fraudulent methods in Japanese, so you need to be careful.
It is difficult to immediately detect a scam, but if you encounter a situation similar to the methods introduced here, please be aware that it may be a scam and act with extra caution.

[Contact Information]
Consular Section, Consulate-General of Japan in Boston
Consulate-General of Japan in Boston
TEL: 617-973-9772, FAX: 617-542-1329
http://www.boston.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_ja/index.html

*If you have registered for TabiRegi and would like to stop receiving emails, please follow the procedure to stop receiving emails from the URL below.
https://www.ezairyu.mofa.go.jp/tabireg/simple/delete

*If you have returned to your home country or moved to another country and have not yet filed a return (moving) notification, we apologize for the inconvenience, but please follow the procedure below.
＜Returning to Japan＞
If you have submitted a paper residence notification, please submit a return notification to our Embassy by email or other means.
If you are using ORRnet, please complete the procedure from the following URL.
https://www.ezairyu.mofa.go.jp/RRnet/index.html
＜Relocation＞
Please submit your residence notification to the nearest Japanese diplomatic mission either by paper or via ORRnet.

* In order to protect your family, friends, and colleagues in the event of a disaster or unrest, please tell your acquaintances, business travelers, and tourists to file a Residence Notification (for stays of 3 months or more) or register for a Tabi-Regi (for stays of less than 3 months) so that information on safety measures can reach as many people as possible.

(Resent) Passport management during the New Year holidays ※Addition of opening and closing days

Dec. 12, 2024, 4:41 a.m.

[Consulate-General of Japan in San Francisco (New Year's holiday and opening days)]
December 26th (Thursday) Opening day December 27th (Friday) Opening day
Closed: December 28th (Saturday) - January 5th (Sunday)
Opening date: January 6th (Monday)

<Reference>
Safety Guidehttps://www.sf.us.embjapan.go.jp/pdf/anzen_no_tebiki.pdf
*Especially "P3 Crime Prevention Guide"

■In order to shorten waiting times when you visit the Consulate and to avoid congestion in the Consulate waiting room, we operate on a reservation system for passport and other certification services at the Consulate counter. Please see our website for details. (https://www.sf.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/appointment.html)

■When traveling abroad, be sure to inform your family, friends, workplace, etc. of your travel dates and contact information at your destination in case of an emergency. If you are staying for more than three months, be sure to submit a residence notification.
(https://www.ezairyu.mofa.go.jp/RRnet/index.html)
In addition, if you are traveling or on a business trip of less than three months, please register with Tabi-Regi so that you can receive safety information as it arises while you are overseas.
(For details, see https://www.ezairyu.mofa.go.jp/tabireg/index.html#)

Consulate-General of Japan in San Francisco
Consulate-General of Japan at San Francisco
Consular and Security Team
TEL:415-780-6000
HP: https://www.sf.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_ja/index.html

Passport management during the New Year holidays

Dec. 12, 2024, 4:36 a.m.

<Reference>
Safety Guidehttps://www.sf.us.embjapan.go.jp/pdf/anzen_no_tebiki.pdf
*Especially "P3 Crime Prevention Guide"

■In order to shorten waiting times when you visit the Consulate and to avoid congestion in the Consulate waiting room, we operate on a reservation system for passport and other certification services at the Consulate counter. Please see our website for details. (https://www.sf.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/appointment.html)

■When traveling abroad, be sure to inform your family, friends, workplace, etc. of your travel dates and contact information at your destination in case of an emergency. If you are staying for more than three months, be sure to submit a residence notification.
(https://www.ezairyu.mofa.go.jp/RRnet/index.html)
In addition, if you are traveling or on a business trip of less than three months, please register with Tabi-Regi so that you can receive safety information as it arises while you are overseas.
(For details, see https://www.ezairyu.mofa.go.jp/tabireg/index.html#)

Consulate-General of Japan in San Francisco
Consulate-General of Japan at San Francisco
Consular and Security Team
TEL:415-780-6000
HP: https://www.sf.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_ja/index.html

Alert regarding wildfires in Malibu, California

Dec. 11, 2024, 3:51 a.m.

1. The wildfire that broke out in Malibu on the night of December 9th is spreading due to strong winds. Evacuation orders have been issued for the surrounding areas, and public access is prohibited.

2. As the dry weather is expected to continue, conditions that make it easier for wildfires to break out and spread will continue. We ask Japanese nationals and travelers in the surrounding areas, in particular, to take note of the following points:
(1) Make an effort to obtain the latest information from the media and local governments, and prepare for the disaster to spread.
(2) Since wildfires may cause road closures, be sure to check traffic information and the situation around your destination before departing.
(3) Do not approach areas where forest fires are occurring out of curiosity.
(4) In case of emergency, prepare disaster essentials, including valuables such as your passport, and keep them ready to take with you at any time.
(For reference, a checklist of disaster essentials is included at the end of the "Safety Guide.") https://www.la.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/consular_safety.html

3. The dry weather in Southern California has made it easier for fires to break out, so please be careful when handling fire. In the unlikely event that a wildfire breaks out in the surrounding area, please refer to the above 2 and make your personal safety your top priority.

4. Wildfires also produce air pollution due to smoke. Even if you are far away from the wildfire site, smoke can spread far away depending on the wind direction, etc., and air pollution may have adverse effects on your health. Elderly people, young people, and people with respiratory diseases in particular should refrain from outdoor activities if they notice smoke or smell something. If you have no choice but to be outdoors, please take precautions such as wearing a mask.

●CAL FIRE
https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2024/12/9/franklin-fire
Los Angeles County website
https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2024/12/9/franklin-fire

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◇ Consulate-General of Japan in Los Angeles ◇
Address: 350 South Grand Ave., Suite 1700, Los Angeles CA 90071
Phone: 213-617-6700
Consular Security Team e-mail: ryoji@ls.mofa.go.jp
Website: https://www.la.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_ja/index.html
*Please use the Online Residence Notification (ORR Net) to submit your Residence Notification, change notification, and return to Japan/moving out notification.
https://www.ezairyu.mofa.go.jp/RRnet/index.html
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