Unwary Japanese scammed in China

The Bund in Shanghai

SHANGHAI, China (majirox news) — Increasing numbers of Japanese are falling victim to scams in Shanghai, being lured into paying exorbitant charges for minimal services, according to Japanese consular officials.

This year alone there have been 70 Japanese who have fallen to Shanghai scams, costing them close on 10 million yen (around $130,000).

Most of the victims have been men, but some women have also fallen into the trap.

Japanese consulate officials said the majority of scams are being pulled off in restaurants, clubs and bars in popular tourist areas along the Bund.

Typical methods include approaching the Japanese traveler and speaking in Japanese, then inviting them to an establishment to eat or drink. The con artist will produce a bill with exorbitant charges, often with a menacing man standing around in the background to ensure payment is made.

Among the cases cited by the consulate was a man lured into a bar by a Japanese-speaking Chinese woman offering sympathy over the March 11 disasters, then charged the equivalent of almost 100,000 yen (around $1,300). When the woman apologized, saying she had no idea that she had brought the man to such an establishment, he agreed to go out with her again and was subsequently charged another similar amount for a meal.

Another man was forced to pay about 210,000 yen (around $2,800) for two beers.

Tags: Bund, China, con artists, Japapanese tourists, Shanghai

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