yakuza?

[Big T]

Here's the situation: I got an email on my cell phone a few days ago that looked like a returned mail, it had a Web link and I was (unfortunately) curious. So it takes me to a page with a picture of a girl and a dog, and suddenly it tells me I've registered for the site and I owe 38,000 yen. That's right, 38 THOUSAND yen. I get emails from this site/scam every day now. They first told me to pay by Dec. 4, and every email seems to list a different account I'm supposed to transfer the money to. They didn't bill me through Vodafone and of course it's a scam, so I have no intention of paying.

Now, they say they're going to increase the amount I "owe" because I broke our "agreement". And I'm sure the same thing will continue every week.

If this is just some programmer geek's lame attempt to extort money from people, of course this isn't a problem. But I'm getting worried this is some kind of new yakuza thing, it sounds like something a "Web age" yakuza would do. In which case they'd wait until I "owed" a million yen or so, and then come after me for it. I have no idea if these f*ckers have my address or not.

Any advice? Should I go to the police? Talk to Vodafone about it (why do they have my phone number and email address, after all)? Change my email address and forget about it?

I have no idea what kind of people I'm dealing with and I'm starting to get paranoid...

Their site name, in case anyone recognizes it, is www.hha.jp, the emails come from info@hha.jp

[kurogane]

Sounds like a royal pain in the neck, but don't panic.
First, report it to a Vodafone branch office/shop. Also, go to the police. Not a Koban, a real local station. Depending on your confidence in your own Japanese ability, take a friend. It may be a good tactic to take a friend anyway, in case you come across any passive prejudice.

Good Luck, and keep us posted.

[Big T]

for the advice, Kurogane.

Since writing the post I decided to erase all the emails, change my email address and forget about it. Worrying about it doesn't help anything, and there's probably nothing the police would/could really do. I may contact Vodafone about it, though.

[For ALL]

Unlike people who post replies on this forum, the police actually get paid for helping in cases like yours. If you think posting a question to this forum is okay, and not okay to ask the police, I fail to understand it.

Of course a lot of them are hopeless, but not all of them. And if people do not report crime, they will not prevent future crime.

Up to you what you decide to do, but if you care at all about anyone else being annoyed by them, just like you can get annoyed by someone else, I would tell the police. Keep in mind that they will not pass your name to that yakuza, so you can talk to them in confidence.

I report all the nuisance calls I get to the police only, and not to phone companies.

Natalia @ For ALL
working in Kyushu

[Big T]

I mostly just posted here to see if anyone had had a similar problem and/or had a novel solution. I know very little about the police here (I have no idea where a "real" police station might be, for starters) and I'm not convinced they could really do anything anyway. At most they could track down who the Web site is registered to and tell them to stop sending emails, which doesn't seem likely to help.

[swordfishtrombone]

you'll probably be OK by switching your e-mail address, but suggest you notify vodafone as well - they may have further advice for you.

there are tons of scams involving e-mail and "one-giri" telephone calls (calls that ring once, leave a phone number on your cell record then wait for you to call back - when they charge you for using whatever 'service' they have).

in the future, if a suspiscious e-mail or phone call comes, take a moment if you can and Google it before you reply (just enter the phone number or e-mail address in Google). There are several Japanese sites which keep track of scam addresses/numbers so you can usually find out right away if it is a scam number or not. (technically you don't even need to read japanese. if the number/address comes up on a site with a list, then you know it's bad).

[akahebi]

Keep in mind that they will not pass your name to that yakuza, so you can talk to them in confidence.

The police ARE the yakuza!!

:) Changing your email is the best move. Did you register any personal information? If not, the change in email should be sufficient. If they got your name/phone number/address you'd better get on a plane and go home right now!

[Big T]

All I did was click on the link, and the site told me I'd registered. I didn't put any information in, nor did I give them any information after that. Unfortunately my prior email address was my name, so they have that, my prior keitai email address, and my phone number was listed in the mail.

The crucial thing is whether or not they have my address. If Vodafone sold/leaked my information to them, that...would be bad. But the only way I'll know that's the case is if a couple thugs come knocking... Assuming the yakuza IS behind the scam. That's what I really hate, the uncertainty: this could be nothing or it could be something pretty damn bad.

[notoierunihon]

A friend of mine got involved in a similar scam. He ended up 'owing' 5 million yen and a professional debt-collector (not Yakuza, mind) came to his apartment. My friend handled it brilliantly by pretending not to understand Japanese (actually he's fluent) and shouting/ gesturing in English that he was going back home soon anyways. The debt-collector couldn't be bothered and left. These people are classic bullies: if they see a chink in your armor and you show you're afraid they will screw money out of you. If you stand up to them though they usually slink off to find easier more gullible targets.

However, I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT YAKUZA, so if you suspect that Yaks are involved in your case GO TO THE COPS IMMEDIATELY. Never mess about with Yaks or try and out tough them; you will come off worse because those guys will die for their 'cause'.

[notoierunihon]

The one gaijin I personally know about who tried to out tough the Yaks (it was a squabble over a girl) was beaten up so bad he was in hospital for 3 months and is permanently disfigured as they used razor blades to slit his nostrils. It was sick, and I will never forget what he looked like when we visited him in the hospital. This guy was an ex US Marine and 6' 4" weighing 210 pounds. The Yaks know how to fight dirty, real dirty. NEVER take them on even if you think you are tough enough, go to the cops immediately.

[Maki`s Mum]

Notyouagain, what kind of a contribution is that ?
The guy wants advice on how to handle his situation. No one has said anything about
"should I fight with the Yakuzza" as obviously you don`t mess with Mafia in any country.
Imbecile. This site doesn`t need you and your playground attittude to discussion, which amounts to "I know more than you guys, so listen up", in this case some stupid story about an idiot friend of yours who was baka enough to mess with the mafia.
If you`ve nothing to say, then don`t bother saying anything,.

[anikikokushi]

contact vodaphone, if you are that worried tell the police, but all in all it's a scam and when they don't get their money(well you already told vodaphone, and it's not on the vodaphone bill so fu$k them) if it is the yakuza and they do come looking well the whole i don't speak japanese should work....for the most part the yakuza don't mess with gaijin(except the ocassional chinpira) because it's just too much trouble(publicity = bad japan) and as stated yakuza are police and visa versa like mafia anywhere they got friends all over the place!!!!
also if some tacky suit dressed people(very loud colored suits or just sweats) show up at your door and break both of your legs....well then it was yakuza......thats usually the easiest way to spot them(the broken legs is a dead give-away){no pun intended}

[The Janken King]

The one gaijin I personally know about who tried to out tough the Yaks (it was a squabble over a girl) was beaten up so bad he was in hospital for 3 months and is permanently disfigured as they used razor blades to slit his nostrils. It was sick, and I will never forget what he looked like when we visited him in the hospital. This guy was an ex US Marine and 6' 4" weighing 210 pounds. The Yaks know how to fight dirty, real dirty. NEVER take them on even if you think you are tough enough, go to the cops immediately.

What words of sympathy did you give your friend in hospital? `THEIR COUNTRY THEIR
RULES!` perhaps?

[kurogane]

I have to admit, I thought that Notoboy gave some sound commentary there. Okay, the Yakuza story was a bit off topic, but the point was that the OP (Big T) was worried, and feeling unsure about the potential ramifications of the problem.
Big T,
I would still recommend going to the police. At least inform Vodafone. I am glad things have calmed down. My impression is that these are scams that prey on those weak enough to buckle, as someone said above. If you don't buckle, they will likely go away. It is a hit and miss operation to begin with. They have a saying, "even a bad shot hits the target sometime" Many Japanese just ignore that same problem as well.
Notoierunihon,
Having said all that, As ye sow, so shall ye reap? You hacked off a lot of people with your blanket accusations on your debut. Seems like the wheel is turning back on itself.
Having said THAT, YES. DO NOT mess with the Yakuza. Bad people who don't care what they look like at the end of the fight.

[kurogane]

Maki's Mum and Janken King,
Tee Hee Hee. DO you feel as satisfied as I do?

[notoierunihon]

I didn't make blanket accusations when I first came on this forum; all I wrote was that many posts were abusive (out right racist sometimes) towards Japan and the Japanese. More than a few posts refer to Japanese women purely as sexual objects, using the disgusting word 'japs', or how the Japanese are doing 'strange' things and why don't they do it like back home in the west. This kind of stuff is moronic, puerile and offensive to many foreigners and Japanese alike. If you wish to defend such trash, go ahead. But be prepared for my backlash....

[notoierunihon]

Back to this thread, I merely used the Yaks anecdote to to warn off any potential gaijin have-a-go heroes who think that just because they're physically bigger than the Japanese that automatically means they will kick their asses in a fight. That marine guy I wrote about was one such person, and he found out the hard way what Yaks can do to even 'tough' guys. If the scammers are NOT Yaks, then just ignore them or tell them to push off. Is that simple enough for everyone?

[kurogane]

Except for the snotty part at the end, thanks for the clarification. As I said, I agree with ya on how foolish it is to mess with those boys.
Big T,
You listening? Well, technically, reading, I guess, or watching, or looking, or ...........................

[kurogane]

If you wish to defend such trash, go ahead. But be prepared for my backlash....Umm, yes you did, no I didn't, and just for the record, I don't defend it, I tolerate it. Who's more Native now, Huh? Huh?
As for your backslash, is that a symbolic code of which I am ignorant?
BTW, nice use of some very very difficult vocabulary. Good Boy. You study hard.

[kurogane]

And now, just to prove why they call me Doctor, and you NOT, I shall engage in a point by point rebuttal (mostly because I have 20 free minutes in this cheesy internet cafe):

I didn't make blanket accusations when I first came on this forum; all I wrote was that many posts were abusive (out right racist sometimes) towards Japan and the Japanese. Sorry little apologist buddy, but the evidence rules you Wrong. That's WRONG WRONG WRONG
To hang you by your own petard (something I do so love to do):

As posted by
notoierunihon (http://www.gaijinpot.com/bb/member.php?u=4644) vbmenu_register("postmenu_61634", true);
Member

Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 47


http://www.gaijinpot.com/bb/images/icons/icon1.gif This website is racist
I have just found this website and am largely disgusted by the majority of its postings. Most of them are racist and misogynistic and offer nothing positive to those of us who would like to live in peace and harmony with the Japanese. Lots of Japanese (especially women) come across this site by accident and are genuinely shocked by the overall tone of the postings. I have had to explain time and again how this site doesn't reflect the opinions of the majority of gaijin. I can only hope they find it in their hearts to forgive us. Remember, we are the guests in THEIR country. Now for pity's sake, grow up or leave this country!

KUROGANE: hence the judicious and fully proved charge of blanket accusations and slanderous attributions


More than a few posts refer to Japanese women purely as sexual objects, Ummm, on first impression, I would say that these guys have been hanging out with a lot of very standard Japanese men, or maybe just men. You have heard of men, before, haven't you? Or have you discovered Another Lost Japan, where the Japanese Male practices and preaches sexual equality. If so, please send coordinates, for I also would love to "live in peace and harmony with the Japanese", esp. with the ones who are living in peace and harmony with each other.


using the disgusting word 'japs', or how the Japanese are doing 'strange' things and why don't they do it like back home in the west. ....Sorry, Second Coming, but you will have to go to the back of the line and wait your turn, for the abuse of the users of that term is already mai ryochi. Don't ____ on my hydrant without permission, please.
As for how they do Strange Things, wellll, let's face it, they do. They are Humanoid, after all. And certainly no stranger than the things they do where you are from. As for the ethnocentric bits, again, back of the line, newbie. I have been deconstructing that crap for 1,556 posts now, and I do it a lot better than you. Polish your arm, grasshopper, and there might be room for you at the top.


This kind of stuff is moronic, puerile and offensive to many foreigners and Japanese alike. If you wish to defend such trash, go ahead. But be prepared for my backlash....Very impressive use of vocabularybuilder.com, but Who Gives a Sh&t to whom it is offensive??? If you don't like it, don't read it. And moreover, who the hell elected a sanctimonius humourless Tragically Earnest-oid like you Chief Apologist for all of Us? I am doing just fine, so Don't Tread on Me. You Quackers really can be such a bunch of presumptuous, imperialistic buddinskies.


Now for pity's sake, grow up or leave this country!Love it or leave it??? Natsukashiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!! Just how F'in old are you, anyway?

[Big T]

Thanks for all the advice, guys.
notoierunihon's first post was a significant relief, good to know it's happened before and it WASN'T the yakuza. So long as it's the same in my case I'll be fine. I feel confident I can deal with anyone who's not looking to break my legs or cut off my fingers. I don't consider myself a "tough guy" and I've never even been in a fight, so I wasn't considering trying to stare them down in any case.
I'll start practicing my "fresh off the boat" look.

[kurogane]

Good to hear Big Guy. Hope it all works out. But do stay tuned for round 345.7 of the Notoierunioi Meets Kurogane, in the Battle for the Most Meaningless Internet BBS Debate in the History of a Small Island Nation with a Very Long History and Culture, not to mention Isolation.
Or not. Up to you.
:p

[anikikokushi]

I'll be waiting patiently....all day....by my computer......not working.......making money anyway......
or maybe I won't.........

Play the cards as they are delt.....roll with the punches....so it was written, so it shall be!!!!

[sincity]

Play the cards as they are delt.....roll with the punches....so it was written, so it shall be!!!!

Keenly observed, Aniki. I'm not sure what more there is to be said, however, digging deep, I think it's important to know when to hold them, know when to fold them, know when to walk away, and know when to run. You never pork your woman when her old man's at the table, there'll be time enough for porkin' when he's passed out on the floor.

[kurogane]

My Inner Kenny Rogers is deeply offended

[kurogane]

You gots to know when to hold em
know when to roll them
know when to hold it in
and know when to cum,
you never wrap your willy
when you're sitting on their faces
there'll be time enough for wrapping
when you're in their bum

My Inner Bad Kenny Rogers is so proud

[Code Rot]

I heard today that one of the "Wangiri Bango" (一切り番号 ) crime ringleaders has been recently arrested, and will probably serve a couple of years behind bars. Those kind of spammers deserve jail -- they are scum in the truest senseof the word, and the lowest of criminals. They deserve everything they get!

Nonetheless, I think the original poster of this post was overreacting somewhat. If some shadowy spam company sent me an outrageous bill for for allegedly using one of their servcies I would ignore them, and toss the bill into the waste paper basket. I think the original poster of this post is panicking somewhat. It is the same scam that English teachers newly arrived in Japan fall into -- they think that if they are presented a one-year contract they have to sign it and adhere to it. There are plenty of unscrupulous operators in Japan waiting to rip you off. If you have a bit of nous, however, you can avoid being taken for a sucker.

[Song2]

I merely used the Yaks anecdote...snip...he found out the hard way what Yaks can do...snip...If the scammers are NOT Yaks, then just ignore them or tell them to push off.

If I was Yakuza, I may well be offended by your ready use of the term, 'Yaks'.
Honestly, I mean really, some people...

[anikikokushi]

Do you really think yakuza(real yakuza) have the time or the inclanation to read or care what the post on gaijinpot have to say about them......they are probably to busy making money through aiful,acom, promise and other money lending companies to give a rats ___(or a rats any other part) about what we say....
having said that....You should definatly wrap it before you put it in the bum!!!!

[2paclives]

Big T - how the hell could these scam artists find out your home address unless your tel. company gives it to them? As for the other posts - answer me this. How can a scam site know where you live? Heard about the guy owing 5million but I question that was from a keitai scam.

For them to come around to your address they need your damn address in the first place. The unlucky 5 million sucker must have been scammed in a different way - not through a keitai. If any folks can answer the points I made I`d be happy to accept if I`m wrong.

[kurogane]

Big T - how the hell could these scam artists find out your home address unless your tel. company gives it to them? As for the other posts - answer me this. How can a scam site know where you live? Heard about the guy owing 5million but I question that was from a keitai scam.
For them to come around to your address they need your damn address in the first place. The unlucky 5 million sucker must have been scammed in a different way - not through a keitai. If any folks can answer the points I made I`d be happy to accept if I`m wrong.

The point being that the OP was worried they might be able to get his home address somehow. End of story. On the other hand, if they did have his address, and they came around to it, wouldn't that then mean that , per force, they had his address, and therefore had somehow managed to get his address? ;)

Code Rot,
I HOPE he was just overreacting. That means the whole issue will resolve itself, and all he has to pay is a bit of anxiety. And, you gots to admit, compared to some of the wankas% jerkoffs that post asking for advice and then give people crap about getting it, this OP was thoughtful and polite. Just worried. Can't fault him for that. I agree with you on the rest of it, though.

Song2,
It is truly that Great Minds are Thinking Alike Today. I thought about it, but decided that the weight of my perspicacious incisivity posted above would be enough.
It is so nice to have reinforcements. You make me go Tee Hee Hee.

[The Janken King]

What do you mean J chicks aren't just sexual objects! Well what else are they ? I don't get it! Guys who say this can't get them that's their problem, if you got it you got it and if you haven't you haven't. Like the other day on a train a Shibuya girl gives me a nice look. Then this old salary man starts looking at us angrily! Jealousy, that's all it is some people are just superior to others (the law of the jungle).

yeah and some people are yet to evolve from apes

[Song2]

having said that....You should definatly wrap it before you put it in the bum!!!!

Nowp, can't say I recognise that lyric.
Gwon, gis a clue, Male or female singer?

[Song2]

Song2,
It is truly that Great Minds are Thinking Alike Today. I thought about it, but decided that the weight of my perspicacious incisivity posted above would be enough. It is so nice to have reinforcements.

Maybe, but fools seldom differ, small minds run in small circles and scholars never agree.
So you're wrong about everything...that's wrong, wrong, wrong.
And as if I'll be bringing up your rear.

Honestly, really, some people...
;)

[kurogane]

Humblest Apologies! No heirarchical implications intended. Just to put your mind at ease, I don't think I want a hole digging rat chasing scruff hound on my bum anyways
:p

[madmaxxam]

Too bad I didn't really look at this thread earlier, as I've had both run ins with the Yakuza and seen this type of scan before. Looks like a lot has already been said though.... Oh, and you don't question that they're Yakuza when they're missing parts of their hand and they say their Yakuza (fortunately they were friendly to me though...)

[kurogane]

I agree with the missing digits, but if they say they are, they probably aren't. Mere membership is now illegal, after all. They still might be dangerous, though. Let's all be happy and safe Gaijin-sans, peoploids.

[Maki`s Mum]

Vodafone - Yakuza. a possible tie up ?
Notoyourreunion, as you are such a monoshiri about all things to do with Japan and WE on this site (that is to say, everyone except YOU) are such japanbeciles, perhaps you could set me straight - What is the difference between "Yakuza" and "yokohama" ? to my eyes and ears these words seem exactly the same but whenever I ask for a ticket to "Yakuza" I get funny looks.
Why is this ?
And while we are on it Mr Hearn, what and why is a "O nigiri" ? Is that like "girininjo?"
ninja ?
Also all this bollocks about Kanji - I say speak English and to hell with the local customs. What say thou to that ?

Please, as we are such malingering mincers with no sense or clue of how to acculturate, HELP US, we need you, we need you....stop the bickering, stop the misconceptions, notonrenoir is bigger than all of us.

[Song2]

Just to put your mind at ease, I don't think I want a hole digging rat chasing scruff hound on my bum anyways :p

'So, you want to own a West Highland White Terrier', asks the American Kennel Club:

The West Highland is all terrier - a large amount of Scottish spunk, determination, and devotion crammed into a small body. Outdoors they are truly sporty, good hunters, speedy and cunning, with great intelligence. In the house they are all that can be desired of a pet; faithful, understanding, and devoted, yet gay and light-hearted. Their temperament is usually alert, gay, courageous and self-reliant, but friendly. Faults--Excess timidity or excess pugnacity.

Spunk...gay...my how the English language is so colourful.

[Song2]

I agree with the missing digits,

I once went bowling with a group of blokes of which one of them had two digits missing...now that is just careless, and I was surprised that They'd give anyone a third chance.

[madmaxxam]

I agree with the missing digits, but if they say they are, they probably aren't. Mere membership is now illegal, after all. They still might be dangerous, though. Let's all be happy and safe Gaijin-sans, peoploids.

Well, it was 4:30 in the morning or so, and it was just the two of them (scary looking guys, in suits) and me on the street. They said something about Yakuza (oh, and their accents were so thick I'm not sure exactly what they said, I thought it was that they were, and the one guy showed me his hand. Maybe they were, maybe they had a run in with them, I don't know, but I left that situation as soon as there was an opening. Oh, and even if it is illegal to be one, I don't think they would have any compulsion telling a gaijin on a desserted street anyway, not like I was going to run to the police office (or not like the police would believe me anyway.

[kurogane]

Fair enough, eh. After I wrote that, I thought of the Gaijin Factor myself. Perhaps our brain waves are in sync. Maki would be sooooooooooooo jealoth.
Pedantic maybe, but not compulsion, compunction, eh? Apologies in advance
:)