Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura said Thursday he is considering banning the use of mobile phones at ATMs to protect the elderly from fraud.
Speaking to reporters, Yoshimura also said he is considering requiring businesses such as convenience stores to confirm the purpose of elderly customers’ purchases of expensive prepaid cards, a practice that often makes them victims of so-called special fraud.
The governor plans to propose the measures to the prefectural assembly in February next year. According to Yoshimura, such measures are expected to be the first in Japan, if implemented.
There were 2,656 special fraud cases in Osaka Prefecture last year, with a total of ¥3.66 billion ($22.7 million) stolen. Most victims were elderly people who received instructions from the perpetrators on the telephone to transfer money to bank accounts.
Yoshimura plans to require financial institutions to take note of elderly customers who operate an ATM while using a cell phone. He is also considering letting financial institutions use artificial intelligence cameras to monitor customers, as it is difficult to place security guards at all ATMs.
“Many special frauds can be prevented,” Yoshimura said. It is a despicable and unforgivable crime to take all the pension funds from victims, he said.
