{"content_id":"apj2bafzev","slug":"japan-sns-deepfake-investment-scam-reporting-guide","locale":"en","schema_type":"HowTo","category":"how_to","category_name":"How-to","title":"How to Report Deepfake Investment Scam Ads in Japan and What Evidence to Save","summary":"This guide explains what evidence to preserve when you discover a celebrity deepfake investment ad in Japan and outlines the roles of the Financial Services Agency, the Internet Hotline Center, and the police. If you have already transferred money, contact the financial institutions and police before reporting the ad.","sponsorship_disclosure":null,"author":{"name":"Injoys Editorial Team","url":"https://injoys.com/ko/about"},"key_points":["Stop engaging with the ad and the other party, and preserve the ad URL, library ID, account address, and original screen images.","Check the corporate name and registration number of the company shown in the ad against the list of registered businesses maintained by Japan's Financial Services Agency, and verify whether the company is being impersonated.","Save transaction evidence, including LINE conversations, investment website screens, and the transfer account, amount, and time, without deleting or editing it.","Report information about investment scam ads to the Financial Services Agency, and report illegal content and information needed for removal measures to the IHC.","If you have already sent money, stop making further transfers and immediately contact the sending financial institution, the receiving financial institution, and the police."],"content_markdown":"If you discover a social media ad in Japan that uses a synthesized face or voice of a celebrity or investment expert, rather than spending time trying to prove its authenticity yourself, you should respond in the following order: **stop contact, preserve evidence, verify registration, and file official reports**. If you have already sent money, contacting your financial institution and the police takes priority over completing a report form.\n\n- **Who can report:** Anyone who discovered the ad, anyone whose rights or identity were misused, or a victim who contacted someone or sent money through the ad\n- **Reporting deadline:** Although the Financial Services Agency and IHC do not specify a separate uniform deadline, it is best to submit a report as soon as possible before the ad and account are deleted.\n- **What to prepare first:** Ad URL and ad library ID, post and account addresses, the person being impersonated, LINE redirect links, linked investment sites, and conversation and remittance records\n- **Main official channels:** The Japanese Financial Services Agency’s information submission portal for social media investment scam ads, the Internet Hotline Center IHC, the police consultation line #9110, and the Consumer Hotline 188\n\nOn August 7, 2026, seven Japanese ministries and agencies, including the Digital Agency, National Police Agency, and Financial Services Agency, jointly requested that major platform operators strengthen measures against impersonation scam ads. From the same day, impersonation-based fake investment ads were also included among the illegal information report categories handled by IHC.\n\n## Step 1: Stop contact with the ad and preserve evidence immediately\n\nDo not close the window assuming that you will be able to find the ad again. Scam ads, posts, accounts, LINE invitation links, and linked sites may quickly be deleted or have their addresses changed, even before a report is filed.\n\n### Ad information to save first\n\n| Category | Information to preserve | How to preserve it |\n|---|---|---|\n| Ad identification information | Ad URL, ad library ID, date and time displayed | Copy the address and capture the entire screen. |\n| Posting party | Ad account name, profile address, post URL | Save not only the display name but also the account’s unique address. |\n| Impersonated party | Name of the celebrity, expert, media outlet, financial company, or other party | Also note why you confused it with the genuine official account. |\n| Ad claims | Claims such as guaranteed returns, no losses, or AI-powered automated trading | Use screen recording so that the video, captions, and audio are all preserved. |\n| External redirection | LINE account or group invitation address, QR code, separate site URL | Save both the original QR code and the address reached after following it. |\n| Linked site | Addresses of login, deposit, and earnings screens, and displayed operator information | Capture the full domain together with the company information. |\n\nIn apps where the URL is not displayed on the screen, use the sharing function to copy the address or check the identification information in the ad menu. Keep the original files separately without cropping them or adding text. If an explanation is needed, it is better to make a copy and annotate that copy.\n\nYou do not need to determine technically whether the ad is a deepfake. Simply state the factual reasons for your suspicion, such as a mismatch between lip movements and audio, unnatural facial expressions, a video that does not appear on the official account, or excessive promises of returns.\n\n## Step 2: Check whether the business is registered with the Financial Services Agency\n\nBefore sending money, verify the **corporate name, Financial Services Agency registration number, address, telephone number, and website domain**, rather than relying on the business name shown in the ad. Use the Japanese Financial Services Agency’s [List of Licensed, Authorized, and Registered Businesses](https://www.fsa.go.jp/menkyo/menkyo.html) to check whether the business is registered in the relevant category, such as a financial instruments business operator.\n\nThe fact that a registered company’s name appears in the search results does not by itself mean that the ad is genuine. Scammers may copy the name and registration number of an actual registered business, so you must also compare the following:\n\n1. Is the corporate name in the ad exactly the same as the corporate name in the registration list?\n2. Do the competent local finance bureau and number in the registration number match?\n3. Are the telephone number and domain in the ad the same as the registered business’s official contact details?\n4. Does the official website also provide information about the relevant social media account or investment product?\n5. Does the name on the deposit account match the contracting party?\n\nIf verification is necessary, contact the business directly using the contact details listed in the registration list and on the official website, not a number provided in the ad or through LINE. Do not send money if the business is unregistered or there are signs that it is impersonating a real business.\n\n## Step 3: Organize conversation and remittance evidence\n\nIf you were redirected to LINE or another messaging service, do not capture only selected parts of the conversation. Preserve the entire sequence from the initial contact through the request for payment.\n\n### Conversation and transaction records to preserve before reporting\n\n- The other party’s LINE ID, display name, profile screen, and invitation link\n- The group name, administrators and participating accounts, and the date you were invited\n- The roles and names used by the other party, such as professor, secretary, or investment manager\n- Conversations containing recommended stocks, guaranteed returns, withdrawal conditions, and requests for additional deposits\n- The name and download address of any app you were asked to install, and screens showing permission requests\n- Investment site account information, balance, rate of return, and failed withdrawal screens\n- Date and time of remittance, amount, recipient bank, branch, account number, and account holder name\n- Card payment records, crypto-asset exchange withdrawal records, and transaction identifiers\n- Contracts, identification documents, business registration materials, and business cards sent by the other party\n- Telephone numbers, email addresses, call records, and voice messages\n\nSave the necessary records before deleting the conversation or blocking the other party, but do not continue the conversation or send additional money in an attempt to obtain more evidence. Do not submit account security information, such as passwords, verification codes, or recovery codes, to reporting agencies.\n\n## Step 4: Report to the Financial Services Agency and IHC according to their respective purposes\n\nThe Financial Services Agency and IHC have different roles, so reporting the same ad to both agencies cannot necessarily be considered duplicate reporting. However, neither agency can issue an emergency freeze on the victim’s funds or accept a criminal case in place of the proper authorities.\n\n| Channel | Main role | Appropriate situations | Limitations |\n|---|---|---|---|\n| Financial Services Agency | Receives information about suspected social media investment scam ads and financial businesses | Unregistered operations, impersonation of financial companies, ads redirecting users to LINE for investments | It is not an agency for recovering victims’ funds or providing emergency response. |\n| IHC | Receives reports of illegal online information, provides information to the police, and requests deletion by site administrators and others | Impersonation-based fake investment ads available publicly online | It is not a channel for emergency victim reports or resolving individual disputes. |\n| Police #9110 | Provides police consultations about criminal harm or suspicious situations and directs callers to the appropriate local office | Remittance losses, threats, repeated contact, or situations requiring a criminal report | It is not an emergency number for situations involving immediate danger. |\n| Consumer Hotline 188 | Connects callers to a nearby consumer affairs center and provides consultations about contract and payment issues | Consumer issues such as cancellation, payment, and dealings with businesses | It does not replace a police report or a payment freeze by a financial institution. |\n\n### Submitting to the Financial Services Agency\n\nSubmit the advertising medium, ad URL or library ID, ad account and post addresses, impersonated person, redirect addresses such as LINE, and linked site information through the Japanese Financial Services Agency’s [Information Submission Portal for Suspected Social Media Investment Scam Ads](https://www.fsa.go.jp/receipt/toushisagi_koukoku.html). Check the fields marked as required on the submission screen, and do not guess when entering information you do not know.\n\nThe Financial Services Agency also provides separate guidance on common scam patterns and precautions. It is advisable to describe specifically any operations that appear suspicious under financial regulations, any unregistered businesses, or signs of impersonation of a registered company.\n\n### Submitting to IHC\n\nFollow the illegal information reporting procedure through the [Internet Hotline Center](https://www.internethotline.jp/). Focus your submission on the exact URL of the publicly available ad or post and the relevant screen, and briefly explain why you believe it is an impersonation-based fake investment ad.\n\nAmong the information it receives, IHC may provide relevant material to the police or request that site administrators and others delete it. However, victims who have already sent money should not wait only for IHC to process the report; they must separately contact their financial institution and the police.\n\n## Step 5: If you sent money, contact the financial institution and police first\n\nIf you have already sent money, do not send any additional amount requested under the pretext of withdrawal fees, taxes, deposits, account recovery costs, or similar charges. The earnings or balance displayed on the screen may be manipulated numbers rather than actual financial assets.\n\nRespond immediately in the following order:\n\n1. Contact the incident reporting department of the bank, card issuer, or crypto-asset exchange used to send the money.\n2. For a bank transfer, also inform the recipient financial institution that the transaction is suspected of being fraudulent and ask what action may be taken.\n3. Contact a nearby police station or the police consultation line **#9110** to confirm what materials are required to file a case.\n4. If there are signs that an account has been compromised, change the passwords for your email, social media accounts, and LINE, and review multi-factor authentication and login records.\n5. After contacting the financial institution and police, separately report the ad to the Financial Services Agency and IHC.\n\nIf funds remain in a bank account used for criminal activity, Japan’s victim recovery distribution procedure may apply. However, this depends on the status of the account and the applicable legal procedure, and recovery is not guaranteed. You must confirm eligibility and the notice and application procedures with the relevant financial institution. Different recovery procedures may apply to crypto-asset transfers or international remittances.\n\nIf a crime is currently in progress or there is an immediate danger, such as a physical threat, check and use the emergency reporting number provided in official guidance from the Japanese police rather than a consultation line.\n\n## Typical scam sequence and warning signs requiring you to stop\n\nImpersonation-based social media investment scams often do not end with a single ad but instead combine trust-building with repeated remittances.\n\n1. They display an ad that appears to feature a celebrity, economic expert, or media outlet.\n2. They promote free investment courses or recommended stocks and redirect users to a private LINE group.\n3. Multiple accounts posing as professors, assistants, secretaries, or successful members build trust.\n4. A separate investment site or app displays fabricated earnings and balances.\n5. They permit a small withdrawal or present success stories to induce a larger remittance.\n6. When a withdrawal is requested, they demand additional payments for taxes, fees, deposits, or credit score restoration costs.\n\nIf any of the following applies, stop sending money and providing personal information:\n\n- They guarantee the principal or high returns.\n- They provide information only in a private LINE chat rather than through a publicly available official consultation channel.\n- They request payment to an account held in an individual’s name or a name different from that of the contracting party.\n- They ask you to install an investment app through a link or file rather than an app store.\n- They claim that you must first send money for taxes or a deposit to make a withdrawal.\n- They demand that you not tell family members, bank employees, or the police.\n- The earnings shown on the screen increase, but you cannot verify an official transaction statement or the institution holding the assets.\n\n## Account and personal information protection required separately from reporting\n\nOfficial guidance focuses on collecting ad URLs and transaction evidence, but if you logged in to a scam site or installed an app, you must also protect your accounts at the same time.\n\n- If you entered a password that you also use for other services, change it for all of them from a trusted device.\n- Secure your email account first and enable multi-factor authentication.\n- Review login devices, connected apps, and sessions for social media and messaging services.\n- If you installed a remote-control app or an investment app from an unknown source, disconnect the device from the network, notify your financial institution, and have the device undergo a security inspection.\n- If you sent a photo of your identification, document the possibility of identity theft and periodically check the relevant financial accounts.\n- Also report the ad to the platform, but do not assume that reporting it to the platform completes the reporting process with the Financial Services Agency, IHC, or police.\n\nIf evidence preservation conflicts with security measures, first use another device to photograph the screen or record the necessary transaction information, and then secure the account. Do not change your online banking password on a device suspected of containing a malicious app.","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eIf you discover a social media ad in Japan that uses a synthesized face or voice of a celebrity or investment expert, rather than spending time trying to prove its authenticity yourself, you should respond in the following order: \u003cstrong\u003estop contact, preserve evidence, verify registration, and file official reports\u003c/strong\u003e. If you have already sent money, contacting your financial institution and the police takes priority over completing a report form.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWho can report:\u003c/strong\u003e Anyone who discovered the ad, anyone whose rights or identity were misused, or a victim who contacted someone or sent money through the ad\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReporting deadline:\u003c/strong\u003e Although the Financial Services Agency and IHC do not specify a separate uniform deadline, it is best to submit a report as soon as possible before the ad and account are deleted.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWhat to prepare first:\u003c/strong\u003e Ad URL and ad library ID, post and account addresses, the person being impersonated, LINE redirect links, linked investment sites, and conversation and remittance records\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMain official channels:\u003c/strong\u003e The Japanese Financial Services Agency’s information submission portal for social media investment scam ads, the Internet Hotline Center IHC, the police consultation line #9110, and the Consumer Hotline 188\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn August 7, 2026, seven Japanese ministries and agencies, including the Digital Agency, National Police Agency, and Financial Services Agency, jointly requested that major platform operators strengthen measures against impersonation scam ads. From the same day, impersonation-based fake investment ads were also included among the illegal information report categories handled by IHC.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#step-1-stop-contact-with-the-ad-and-preserve-evidence-immediately\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"step-1-stop-contact-with-the-ad-and-preserve-evidence-immediately\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eStep 1: Stop contact with the ad and preserve evidence immediately\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDo not close the window assuming that you will be able to find the ad again. Scam ads, posts, accounts, LINE invitation links, and linked sites may quickly be deleted or have their addresses changed, even before a report is filed.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#ad-information-to-save-first\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"ad-information-to-save-first\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eAd information to save first\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"overflow-x-auto\"\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eCategory\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eInformation to preserve\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHow to preserve it\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Category\"\u003eAd identification information\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Information to preserve\"\u003eAd URL, ad library ID, date and time displayed\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"How to preserve it\"\u003eCopy the address and capture the entire screen.\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Category\"\u003ePosting party\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Information to preserve\"\u003eAd account name, profile address, post URL\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"How to preserve it\"\u003eSave not only the display name but also the account’s unique address.\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Category\"\u003eImpersonated party\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Information to preserve\"\u003eName of the celebrity, expert, media outlet, financial company, or other party\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"How to preserve it\"\u003eAlso note why you confused it with the genuine official account.\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Category\"\u003eAd claims\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Information to preserve\"\u003eClaims such as guaranteed returns, no losses, or AI-powered automated trading\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"How to preserve it\"\u003eUse screen recording so that the video, captions, and audio are all preserved.\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Category\"\u003eExternal redirection\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Information to preserve\"\u003eLINE account or group invitation address, QR code, separate site URL\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"How to preserve it\"\u003eSave both the original QR code and the address reached after following it.\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Category\"\u003eLinked site\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Information to preserve\"\u003eAddresses of login, deposit, and earnings screens, and displayed operator information\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"How to preserve it\"\u003eCapture the full domain together with the company information.\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn apps where the URL is not displayed on the screen, use the sharing function to copy the address or check the identification information in the ad menu. Keep the original files separately without cropping them or adding text. If an explanation is needed, it is better to make a copy and annotate that copy.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou do not need to determine technically whether the ad is a deepfake. Simply state the factual reasons for your suspicion, such as a mismatch between lip movements and audio, unnatural facial expressions, a video that does not appear on the official account, or excessive promises of returns.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#step-2-check-whether-the-business-is-registered-with-the-financial-services-agency\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"step-2-check-whether-the-business-is-registered-with-the-financial-services-agency\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eStep 2: Check whether the business is registered with the Financial Services Agency\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBefore sending money, verify the \u003cstrong\u003ecorporate name, Financial Services Agency registration number, address, telephone number, and website domain\u003c/strong\u003e, rather than relying on the business name shown in the ad. Use the Japanese Financial Services Agency’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.fsa.go.jp/menkyo/menkyo.html\"\u003eList of Licensed, Authorized, and Registered Businesses\u003c/a\u003e to check whether the business is registered in the relevant category, such as a financial instruments business operator.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fact that a registered company’s name appears in the search results does not by itself mean that the ad is genuine. Scammers may copy the name and registration number of an actual registered business, so you must also compare the following:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIs the corporate name in the ad exactly the same as the corporate name in the registration list?\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDo the competent local finance bureau and number in the registration number match?\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAre the telephone number and domain in the ad the same as the registered business’s official contact details?\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDoes the official website also provide information about the relevant social media account or investment product?\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDoes the name on the deposit account match the contracting party?\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf verification is necessary, contact the business directly using the contact details listed in the registration list and on the official website, not a number provided in the ad or through LINE. Do not send money if the business is unregistered or there are signs that it is impersonating a real business.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#step-3-organize-conversation-and-remittance-evidence\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"step-3-organize-conversation-and-remittance-evidence\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eStep 3: Organize conversation and remittance evidence\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you were redirected to LINE or another messaging service, do not capture only selected parts of the conversation. Preserve the entire sequence from the initial contact through the request for payment.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#conversation-and-transaction-records-to-preserve-before-reporting\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"conversation-and-transaction-records-to-preserve-before-reporting\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eConversation and transaction records to preserve before reporting\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe other party’s LINE ID, display name, profile screen, and invitation link\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe group name, administrators and participating accounts, and the date you were invited\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe roles and names used by the other party, such as professor, secretary, or investment manager\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConversations containing recommended stocks, guaranteed returns, withdrawal conditions, and requests for additional deposits\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe name and download address of any app you were asked to install, and screens showing permission requests\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInvestment site account information, balance, rate of return, and failed withdrawal screens\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDate and time of remittance, amount, recipient bank, branch, account number, and account holder name\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCard payment records, crypto-asset exchange withdrawal records, and transaction identifiers\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eContracts, identification documents, business registration materials, and business cards sent by the other party\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTelephone numbers, email addresses, call records, and voice messages\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSave the necessary records before deleting the conversation or blocking the other party, but do not continue the conversation or send additional money in an attempt to obtain more evidence. Do not submit account security information, such as passwords, verification codes, or recovery codes, to reporting agencies.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#step-4-report-to-the-financial-services-agency-and-ihc-according-to-their-respective-purposes\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"step-4-report-to-the-financial-services-agency-and-ihc-according-to-their-respective-purposes\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eStep 4: Report to the Financial Services Agency and IHC according to their respective purposes\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Financial Services Agency and IHC have different roles, so reporting the same ad to both agencies cannot necessarily be considered duplicate reporting. However, neither agency can issue an emergency freeze on the victim’s funds or accept a criminal case in place of the proper authorities.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"overflow-x-auto\"\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChannel\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eMain role\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAppropriate situations\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eLimitations\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Channel\"\u003eFinancial Services Agency\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Main role\"\u003eReceives information about suspected social media investment scam ads and financial businesses\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Appropriate situations\"\u003eUnregistered operations, impersonation of financial companies, ads redirecting users to LINE for investments\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Limitations\"\u003eIt is not an agency for recovering victims’ funds or providing emergency response.\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Channel\"\u003eIHC\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Main role\"\u003eReceives reports of illegal online information, provides information to the police, and requests deletion by site administrators and others\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Appropriate situations\"\u003eImpersonation-based fake investment ads available publicly online\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Limitations\"\u003eIt is not a channel for emergency victim reports or resolving individual disputes.\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Channel\"\u003ePolice #9110\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Main role\"\u003eProvides police consultations about criminal harm or suspicious situations and directs callers to the appropriate local office\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Appropriate situations\"\u003eRemittance losses, threats, repeated contact, or situations requiring a criminal report\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Limitations\"\u003eIt is not an emergency number for situations involving immediate danger.\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Channel\"\u003eConsumer Hotline 188\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Main role\"\u003eConnects callers to a nearby consumer affairs center and provides consultations about contract and payment issues\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Appropriate situations\"\u003eConsumer issues such as cancellation, payment, and dealings with businesses\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-label=\"Limitations\"\u003eIt does not replace a police report or a payment freeze by a financial institution.\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#submitting-to-the-financial-services-agency\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"submitting-to-the-financial-services-agency\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eSubmitting to the Financial Services Agency\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSubmit the advertising medium, ad URL or library ID, ad account and post addresses, impersonated person, redirect addresses such as LINE, and linked site information through the Japanese Financial Services Agency’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.fsa.go.jp/receipt/toushisagi_koukoku.html\"\u003eInformation Submission Portal for Suspected Social Media Investment Scam Ads\u003c/a\u003e. Check the fields marked as required on the submission screen, and do not guess when entering information you do not know.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Financial Services Agency also provides separate guidance on common scam patterns and precautions. It is advisable to describe specifically any operations that appear suspicious under financial regulations, any unregistered businesses, or signs of impersonation of a registered company.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#submitting-to-ihc\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"submitting-to-ihc\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eSubmitting to IHC\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFollow the illegal information reporting procedure through the \u003ca href=\"https://www.internethotline.jp/\"\u003eInternet Hotline Center\u003c/a\u003e. Focus your submission on the exact URL of the publicly available ad or post and the relevant screen, and briefly explain why you believe it is an impersonation-based fake investment ad.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmong the information it receives, IHC may provide relevant material to the police or request that site administrators and others delete it. However, victims who have already sent money should not wait only for IHC to process the report; they must separately contact their financial institution and the police.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#step-5-if-you-sent-money-contact-the-financial-institution-and-police-first\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"step-5-if-you-sent-money-contact-the-financial-institution-and-police-first\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eStep 5: If you sent money, contact the financial institution and police first\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you have already sent money, do not send any additional amount requested under the pretext of withdrawal fees, taxes, deposits, account recovery costs, or similar charges. The earnings or balance displayed on the screen may be manipulated numbers rather than actual financial assets.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRespond immediately in the following order:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eContact the incident reporting department of the bank, card issuer, or crypto-asset exchange used to send the money.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFor a bank transfer, also inform the recipient financial institution that the transaction is suspected of being fraudulent and ask what action may be taken.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eContact a nearby police station or the police consultation line \u003cstrong\u003e#9110\u003c/strong\u003e to confirm what materials are required to file a case.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIf there are signs that an account has been compromised, change the passwords for your email, social media accounts, and LINE, and review multi-factor authentication and login records.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAfter contacting the financial institution and police, separately report the ad to the Financial Services Agency and IHC.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf funds remain in a bank account used for criminal activity, Japan’s victim recovery distribution procedure may apply. However, this depends on the status of the account and the applicable legal procedure, and recovery is not guaranteed. You must confirm eligibility and the notice and application procedures with the relevant financial institution. Different recovery procedures may apply to crypto-asset transfers or international remittances.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf a crime is currently in progress or there is an immediate danger, such as a physical threat, check and use the emergency reporting number provided in official guidance from the Japanese police rather than a consultation line.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#typical-scam-sequence-and-warning-signs-requiring-you-to-stop\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"typical-scam-sequence-and-warning-signs-requiring-you-to-stop\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eTypical scam sequence and warning signs requiring you to stop\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImpersonation-based social media investment scams often do not end with a single ad but instead combine trust-building with repeated remittances.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThey display an ad that appears to feature a celebrity, economic expert, or media outlet.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThey promote free investment courses or recommended stocks and redirect users to a private LINE group.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMultiple accounts posing as professors, assistants, secretaries, or successful members build trust.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA separate investment site or app displays fabricated earnings and balances.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThey permit a small withdrawal or present success stories to induce a larger remittance.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhen a withdrawal is requested, they demand additional payments for taxes, fees, deposits, or credit score restoration costs.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf any of the following applies, stop sending money and providing personal information:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThey guarantee the principal or high returns.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThey provide information only in a private LINE chat rather than through a publicly available official consultation channel.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThey request payment to an account held in an individual’s name or a name different from that of the contracting party.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThey ask you to install an investment app through a link or file rather than an app store.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThey claim that you must first send money for taxes or a deposit to make a withdrawal.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThey demand that you not tell family members, bank employees, or the police.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe earnings shown on the screen increase, but you cannot verify an official transaction statement or the institution holding the assets.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#account-and-personal-information-protection-required-separately-from-reporting\" class=\"anchor\" id=\"account-and-personal-information-protection-required-separately-from-reporting\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003eAccount and personal information protection required separately from reporting\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOfficial guidance focuses on collecting ad URLs and transaction evidence, but if you logged in to a scam site or installed an app, you must also protect your accounts at the same time.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIf you entered a password that you also use for other services, change it for all of them from a trusted device.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSecure your email account first and enable multi-factor authentication.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReview login devices, connected apps, and sessions for social media and messaging services.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIf you installed a remote-control app or an investment app from an unknown source, disconnect the device from the network, notify your financial institution, and have the device undergo a security inspection.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIf you sent a photo of your identification, document the possibility of identity theft and periodically check the relevant financial accounts.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlso report the ad to the platform, but do not assume that reporting it to the platform completes the reporting process with the Financial Services Agency, IHC, or police.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf evidence preservation conflicts with security measures, first use another device to photograph the screen or record the necessary transaction information, and then secure the account. Do not change your online banking password on a device suspected of containing a malicious app.\u003c/p\u003e\n","tags":["AI","Voice phishing","Personal data protection","Deepfake","Investment fraud"],"faqs":[{"question":"Can I report a suspected fraudulent advertisement even if I have not lost money through a transfer?","answer":"Yes. The Financial Services Agency accepts information about advertisements suspected of being SNS investment scams, while IHC accepts reports of publicly available fake investment advertisements involving impersonation as illegal information. It is advisable to preserve and submit the URL, advertisement identification information, and screenshots before the advertisement disappears."},{"question":"Should I report it to the Financial Services Agency or IHC?","answer":"Information related to financial services, such as impersonation of a financial company or unregistered investment solicitation, should be submitted to the Financial Services Agency. If information about a publicly available online advertisement needs to be provided to the police or its removal needs to be requested, it can also be reported to IHC. If you have already transferred money, contacting your financial institution and the police takes priority over these two online reports."},{"question":"Do I need to prove myself that it is a deepfake?","answer":"The reporter does not need to technically determine whether the video was fabricated. You can submit the facts you observed and the grounds for your suspicions, such as the advertisement URL, account, video and audio, the person being impersonated, and the process used to direct you to LINE, together with the original materials."},{"question":"Can I not report it if I have lost the advertisement URL?","answer":"Even without the URL, you can submit any remaining materials, such as the advertising account, the time it was displayed, the platform, the person being impersonated, screenshots, the LINE account, and linked websites. However, because the URL is important for processing and identification, first check the app's sharing history, your browser history, and links in messages."},{"question":"Is it safe if the company shown in the advertisement is registered with the Financial Services Agency?","answer":"No. Scammers may steal the name and registration number of an actual registered company. Compare the address, phone number, and official domain in the registry with the information in the advertisement, and use the company's official contact details—not the number provided in the advertisement—to verify whether the solicitation is genuine."},{"question":"They say I need to pay taxes or a deposit first to withdraw my money. Should I send it?","answer":"You should stop making additional transfers. Fake investment websites may increase the damage by showing fabricated profits and then demanding withdrawal fees, taxes, deposits, and other payments. Preserve the records of your previous transfers and immediately contact your financial institution and the police."},{"question":"What is the difference between the police consultation number #9110 and the consumer hotline 188?","answer":"#9110 is a number for consulting the police about actual or suspected criminal victimization and receiving guidance on the appropriate office. 188 connects you to a nearby consumer affairs center for consultation on consumer issues such as contracts and payments. In situations involving immediate danger, check the Japanese police's official guidance for the emergency reporting number and use it."},{"question":"Can I get back money sent to a fraudulent account?","answer":"If there is a balance remaining in the bank account and the statutory requirements are met, the victim recovery distribution procedure may apply, but repayment is not guaranteed. You should immediately contact both the remitting and receiving financial institutions to confirm the account measures and the necessary reporting and application procedures."},{"question":"If I report a fraudulent advertisement to the SNS platform, does that complete the official reporting process?","answer":"No. A platform report is for internal action against the relevant post or account. The Financial Services Agency, IHC, the police, and financial institutions have different roles, so you must separately contact the appropriate official channels based on your situation."}],"sources":[{"url":"https://www.digital.go.jp/news/b96e34b8-0af0-4fe3-b6b5-2191726c8cc5","title":"Joint Request by Seven Ministries and Agencies to Strengthen Measures Against Impersonation Scam Advertisements on SNS and Other Platforms","type":"data_point"},{"url":"https://www.npa.go.jp/bureau/cyber/countermeasures/illegal-info.html","title":"Measures Against Illegal and Harmful Information on the Internet | National Police Agency","type":"data_point"},{"url":"https://www.fsa.go.jp/receipt/toushisagi_koukoku.html","title":"Information Submission Desk for Advertisements and Other Content Suspected of Investment Fraud on SNS | Financial Services Agency","type":"source"},{"url":"https://www.fsa.go.jp/receipt/toushisagi_koukoku/shuhou.html","title":"That's a Scam! Beware of Investment Solicitations on SNS! | Financial Services Agency","type":"source"},{"url":"https://www.npa.go.jp/bureau/safetylife/sos47/new-topics/sns-romance/investment/","title":"SNS-Based Investment Fraud | National Police Agency・SOS47","type":"source"},{"url":"https://www.internethotline.jp/","title":"Internet Hotline Center","type":"source"},{"url":"https://www.fsa.go.jp/menkyo/menkyo.html","title":"List of Businesses That Have Obtained Licenses, Permits, Registrations, etc. | Financial Services Agency","type":"source"},{"url":"https://www.caa.go.jp/policies/policy/local_cooperation/local_consumer_administration/hotline/","title":"Consumer Hotline | Consumer Affairs Agency","type":"source"},{"url":"https://www.fsa.go.jp/policy/kyuusai/furikome/index.html","title":"For Victims of Bank Transfer Scams and Similar Fraud | Financial Services Agency","type":"source"}],"images":[{"id":842,"url":"https://injoys.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MTEwMTksInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--e50d723732c49e2d93960cd975ecb0c6b02ffc68/ai-ab6b12cd.webp","is_representative":true,"generation_method":"ai_photo","license":"ai_generated","mime_type":"image/webp","translations":{"ko":{"alt":"상담 창구에서 걱정스러운 여성이 휴대전화 화면을 직원에게 보여주는 모습","caption":"여성이 SNS 투자사기 관련 휴대전화 화면과 영상을 제시하며 상담하고 있다.","description":null},"en":{"alt":"Worried woman showing phone screens to a staff member at a service counter","caption":"A woman presents a social media investment scam message and video during a consultation.","description":null},"ja":{"alt":"相談窓口で不安そうな女性が職員にスマートフォンの画面を見せる様子","caption":"女性がSNS投資詐欺に関するメッセージと動画を提示して相談している。","description":null},"es":{"alt":"Mujer preocupada mostrando pantallas de teléfonos a una empleada en un mostrador","caption":"Una mujer presenta un mensaje y un video relacionados con una estafa de inversión en redes sociales.","description":null},"id":{"alt":"Perempuan cemas menunjukkan layar ponsel kepada petugas di loket layanan","caption":"Seorang perempuan memperlihatkan pesan dan video terkait penipuan investasi di media sosial.","description":null},"pt":{"alt":"Mulher preocupada mostra telas de celulares a uma atendente em um balcão","caption":"Uma mulher apresenta uma mensagem e um vídeo ligados a um golpe de investimento nas redes sociais.","description":null},"zh-hant":{"alt":"神情憂慮的女子在服務櫃檯向職員展示手機畫面","caption":"女子出示與社群媒體投資詐騙有關的訊息和影片進行諮詢。","description":null},"de":{"alt":"Besorgte Frau zeigt einer Mitarbeiterin an einem Schalter mehrere Smartphone-Displays","caption":"Eine Frau legt eine Nachricht und ein Video zu einem Anlagebetrug in sozialen Medien vor.","description":null}}},{"id":843,"url":"https://injoys.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MTEwMjUsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--25c94dea559f057b872b29396b5accc47ca1b98d/ai-3fd4f084.webp","is_representative":false,"generation_method":"ai_image","license":"ai_generated","mime_type":"image/webp","translations":{"ko":{"alt":"딥페이크 투자사기 게시물에서 증거를 수집해 경찰·금융기관 등에 신고하는 절차 도식","caption":"일본 SNS 딥페이크 투자사기의 증거 확인과 신고 흐름을 보여준다.","description":null},"en":{"alt":"Flowchart for collecting evidence from a deepfake investment scam post and reporting it to authorities","caption":"The diagram shows how to document and report a deepfake investment scam on Japanese social media.","description":null},"ja":{"alt":"ディープフェイク投資詐欺の投稿から証拠を集め、警察や金融機関へ通報する流れ","caption":"日本のSNS上のディープフェイク投資詐欺を記録して通報する手順を示している。","description":null},"es":{"alt":"Flujo para recopilar pruebas de una estafa de inversión con deepfake y denunciarla a las autoridades","caption":"El diagrama muestra cómo documentar y denunciar una estafa de inversión con deepfake en redes sociales japonesas.","description":null},"id":{"alt":"Alur mengumpulkan bukti unggahan penipuan investasi deepfake dan melaporkannya kepada pihak berwenang","caption":"Diagram ini menunjukkan cara mendokumentasikan dan melaporkan penipuan investasi deepfake di media sosial Jepang.","description":null},"pt":{"alt":"Fluxo para coletar provas de um golpe de investimento com deepfake e denunciá-lo às autoridades","caption":"O diagrama mostra como documentar e denunciar um golpe de investimento com deepfake nas redes sociais japonesas.","description":null},"zh-hant":{"alt":"從深偽投資詐騙貼文蒐集證據並向警方、金融機構等單位舉報的流程圖","caption":"圖表顯示如何記錄並舉報日本社群媒體上的深偽投資詐騙。","description":null},"de":{"alt":"Ablauf zum Sichern von Beweisen für Deepfake-Anlagebetrug und Melden an zuständige Stellen","caption":"Die Grafik zeigt, wie Deepfake-Anlagebetrug in japanischen sozialen Medien dokumentiert und gemeldet wird.","description":null}}}],"published_at":"2026-08-22T22:02:15+09:00","updated_at":"2026-08-22T22:02:15+09:00","license":"cc_by","translation_status":"reviewed","available_locales":["ko","en","ja","es"],"data_locales":["ko","en","ja","es","id","pt","zh-hant","de"],"url":"https://injoys.com/en/articles/japan-sns-deepfake-investment-scam-reporting-guide"}