April 23, 2025 Request for Measures against Phone and Impersonation Scams Using Landline and Mobile Phones, Social Media, and Email

　Today, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) issued a written request to telecommunications carriers regarding measures against phone and impersonation scams using landline and mobile phones, social media and email.

　Last year, the number of fraud victims—including phone and impersonation scams, social media investment fraud, and romance scams—reached a record high. According to a press release from the National Police Agency, there has been a sharp increase in international calls used for phone or impersonation scams. The number of victims aged 65 and over is also on the rise.
　Telecommunications carriers have long promoted various measures to prevent damage from phone or impersonation scams, phishing scams and other types of fraud. As these methods are increasingly sophisticated, the number of victims is rapidly increasing. In light of this, the MIC today requested telecommunications carriers to implement additional countermeasures through the Telecommunications Carriers Association (TCA).