TOKYO, Mar 06 (News On Japan) –
The variety of instances involving fraudulent residence inspection scams by unscrupulous renovation corporations reached a file excessive in 2024, in accordance with a report by the National Police Agency.
These scams, usually concentrating on single-family properties, contain fraudulent contractors providing free roof inspections after which pressuring owners into pointless repairs beneath the guise of official renovation work.
According to the National Police Agency, there have been 66 reported instances of such scams final yr, a 1.7-fold improve from the earlier yr, marking the best quantity since statistics started in 2010. A complete of 130 people have been arrested in reference to these instances.
Among the 66 instances, 15 have been linked to so-called “anonymous and fluid crime groups” (Tokuryu), which recruit people by means of social media to hold out crimes corresponding to housebreaking. Authorities arrested 56 folks concerned in these operations.
Fraudulent renovation corporations primarily goal aged owners, usually utilizing scare techniques corresponding to claiming that the roof is broken and urgently wants restore to stress victims into signing contracts.
These scams are tough to prosecute, as some perpetrators intentionally injury hidden components of properties to manufacture the necessity for repairs, making it difficult to assemble concrete proof.
Source: TBS