The Consumer Affairs Agency warned on Friday of a rising number of billing fraud cases in which swindlers claim to be major online retailer Amazon Japan, which also provides video streaming services. The agency said it received more than 22,000 inquiries nationwide from November last year through the end of May this year. Monetary losses were reported in 597 cases, with a total of about 165 million yen stolen.
According to the agency, swindlers claiming to be Amazon or Amazon Japan have sent text messages to mobile phones that say, "Video rate has not been paid" with a telephone number. If receivers call the number, they are instructed to purchase a gift coupon at convenience stores and then tell the swindlers the numbers on the coupon.
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