Japan's National Police Agency plans to endorse smartphone apps designed to combat fraud, amid record-high losses from scams. These apps will include features like blocking international calls and alerting users to potential scams to boost reliability and adoption.
In Japan, losses from so-called special fraud cases, including telephone scams, reached about ¥121.3 billion by the end of November, marking the worst on record. In response, the National Police Agency (NPA) is planning to endorse smartphone applications aimed at preventing such frauds.
The initiative seeks to enhance the reliability of these apps and encourage their widespread use as scam-related damages continue to rise. The endorsed apps will feature functions such as blocking international calls and alerting users to potential scams. The NPA began accepting applications for endorsement last December and anticipates selecting apps as early as March.
This move reflects the police's push to leverage technology against escalating fraud threats, with hopes that broader app adoption will better protect the public.
