Request for Alerting to Fraud by Taking Advantage of Special Fixed-Sum Cash Benefit Program (Tentative Name) | Press Release | MIC ICT Policy

This page describes a request by Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) to alert users about fraud related to the special fixed-sum cash benefit program implemented in response to COVID-19. On April 23, 2020, MIC requested four telecommunications-related groups to issue fraud warnings. Fraudsters have been impersonating mobile phone operators and sending malicious messages attempting fraudulent activities. MIC requested four organizations—the Telecom Services Association, Telecommunications Carriers Association, Japan Cable and Telecommunications, and Japan Internet Providers Association—to notify users directly via SMS and other means about potential scams.