Crime Osaka governor Yoshimura mulls mobile phone ban at ATMs

thomas · 30 Jun 2024

Osaka Governor Yoshimura Hirofumi announced plans to propose a ban on using mobile phones while operating ATMs to protect the elderly from fraud. He also suggested requiring businesses, like convenience stores, to verify the purpose of elderly customers purchasing expensive prepaid cards, a common fraud tactic. These measures, potentially the first of their kind in Japan, will be proposed to the prefectural assembly in February next year.

Osaka governor Yoshimura Hirofumi

There were 2,656 special fraud cases in Osaka Prefecture last year, with JPY 3.66 billion (USD 22.7 million) stolen. Most of the victims were elderly people given instructions by perpetrators on the phone to transfer money to bank accounts. Yoshimura plans to oblige financial institutions to take notice of elderly customers operating an ATM while talking on mobile phones. He is also considering having financial institutions utilize cameras with artificial intelligence to monitor customers, as it is difficult to place security guards at all ATMs.

Osaka governor eyes ban on mobile phone calls at ATMs

The proposal is part of an effort to protect elderly people from fraud.

www.japantimes.co.jp

「おじいちゃん・おばあちゃんの貯金守る」と吉村知事 ATMで"携帯使用禁止" 史上初の条例大阪府が検討

Crime Osaka governor Yoshimura mulls mobile phone ban at ATMs

thomas

Unswerving cyclist

Osaka governor eyes ban on mobile phone calls at ATMs

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