Beware of fraudulent tactics exploiting the situation in Ukraine

Beware of fraudulent tactics exploiting the situation in Ukraine. Numerous consumers have been tricked by them.

Sample Cases

I received a phone call saying "We would like to buy winter clothes that will be sent to Ukraine." I accepted the offer. A buyer visited my home and said, "Show me some precious metals."

Someone claiming to be a door-to-door buyer phoned me and said, "We would like to buy winter clothes that will be sent to the battlefield in Ukraine." I wanted to help refugees in cold weather and gathered winter clothes in my house. The buyer visited my home and said, "We don't need winter clothes. Show me your precious metals instead." I said, "We don't have any marketable precious metal. Please send the winter clothes to the battlefield in Ukraine." The buyer told me that the winter clothes would be carried by another truck in the evening and left my home. However, no truck came to my house. I thought it was a fraudulent tactic exploiting the situation in Ukraine.

(woman in her 40s in March 2022)

I received a phone call saying "Our sales dropped sharply due to the pandemic and the Russian invasion to Ukraine. Would you please buy our products to help us?" and I placed an order of seafood. I want to exercise the cooling-off right.

The other day, I received a phone call from someone claiming to be with a company in Hokkaido who said, "I'm calling former customers who bought our seafood products referring to sales slips. Due to the pandemic and the Russian invasion to Ukraine, our sales dropped sharply. Would you please buy our products to help us?" I couldn't say no and placed an order of seafood. I received my order today and paid cash on delivery. The seafood was not produced in Hokkaido. Recovering myself, I think the seafood is not worth the expensive price. I want to exercise the cooling-off right.

(woman in her 30s in March 2022)

Advice for consumers

Fraudsters use various tactics exploiting the situation in Ukraine. Take caution.

If you feel suspicious, consult your local consumer affairs center.