Why Cheat Granny?
Why Would Anyone Cheat Granny?
Just like any other country, Japan has its share of crime. In particular, the swindling of the elderly has been particularly problematic over the last several years.
What is the most incomprehensible, and is a very common swindle in Japan is what’s known as the “ore ore sagi”.
This is unique to Japan as the Japanese language facilitates cheating old people into thinking that person on the other end of the phone their child or a relative.
The cold call to the vulnerable and elderly plays out like this.
Swindler: Hello hello grandma it’s me! (In Japanese this makes sense: obaacha ore desu.
Victim: Taro, is that you Taro?
Swindler: Yes grandma it’s me “Taro”
Victim: What is going on?
Swindler: I’ve gotten into an accident and they need me to give them some money so they don’t call their mafia friends. Can you please give me $30,000.
Victim: Oh no! That is horrible, what should I do.
The swindler then sets up a cash withdrawal or some kind of a pick up of the cash.
These old people are gullible and more often than not often lonely.
Hearing about these sick and nefarious swindlers take advantage of the Japanese elderly really breaks my heart.
Many years ago, my son received a phone call on his Mobile telephone. These swindlers said that he accessed a whole bunch of adult sites, and that that he needed to pay ¥300,000 or they would tell on them to their parents. This was a baldfaced lie
Luckily enough, I raise my child so he would come to me with any kinds of problems and we would figure them out together.
I took over the phone, and then dress down this piece of garbage with what I thought about him and his ilk.
Interestingly enough, his cellular telephone number was recorded in my son’s phone, and after he hung up on me, I called him back to telling even more exactly what I thought of him.
I even offered him the opportunity to come and collect the money from me directly.
He declined.
Japan: A place unlike any other, and no where else in the world could this kind of swindling take place.
The elderly of Japan lose literally billions of yen to these types of swindles every year with no sign of letting up.
Always keep you wits about you, and as I know for fact first hand, trust only comes after you verify the person and their intentions.
The take away for today: verified trust.
You can read more about this incredibly disgusting way the naive Japanese are separated from their money.
