The Silence of Victims - The Severity of Invisible Damage
According to the National Police Agency, 2024 (Reiwa 6) closed with approximately 21,000 recognized special fraud cases and roughly 71.9 billion yen in total losses. Those figures cover only what the police were able to record. Behind them sits a "dark figure" of victims who never report, and no statistic captures how many hesitate to file a police report. The published case count should be read as the lower bound of what actually happens.
Why can't victims speak up? Behind their silence lies a complex interplay of psychological mechanisms including shame, self-blame, cognitive dissonance, and concern for family relationships. This article analyzes the psychological structure that drives victims into silence and explores how those around them can provide support. Please also read phone scam victim case studies.
Psychological Mechanisms That Silence Victims
Shame - "I'm Embarrassed That I Was Deceived"
The emotion that binds phone scam victims most tightly is shame. The collapse of self-image - "I thought I was a smart person, yet I fell for something like this" - creates intense resistance to disclosing the damage to others. This shame is particularly strong among people of high social standing or those who normally pride themselves on being competent.
In Japanese society, the perception that "the person who gets deceived is also at fault" remains deeply rooted. Television specials on fraud where commentators ask "How could anyone fall for this?" reinforce victims' fear that "I would be viewed the same way." This social climate is a major factor in keeping victims silent.
Self-Blame - "It's My Own Fault"
Victims continuously blame themselves: "Why didn't I hang up?" "Why didn't I consult my family?" This self-blame makes the act of consulting others feel equivalent to "confessing my own stupidity." Overestimating one's own culpability pushes the very option of asking for help out of reach.
In reality, scammers are professionals who skillfully exploit psychological weaknesses, and victims are not at fault. As explained in the psychological mechanisms behind seniors falling for phone scams, criminals employ psychological manipulation techniques including "creating urgency," "leveraging authority," and "enforcing isolation," meaning anyone can become a victim.
Cognitive Dissonance - "I Couldn't Have Been Scammed"
Cognitive dissonance is the psychological discomfort experienced when one's actions contradict one's beliefs, driving attempts to resolve the contradiction. In the context of fraud, the belief "I am a smart person" contradicts the fact "I was scammed," so victims try to deny the fact itself: "Maybe it wasn't really a scam" or "Maybe there was a legitimate reason."
This cognitive dissonance is particularly strong immediately after victimization. The phenomenon where victims continue following the scammer's instructions despite sensing something is wrong can also be explained by cognitive dissonance. Once money has been transferred, the desire to believe "my judgment was correct" kicks in, leading to secondary victimization by complying with additional demands.
Concern for Family - "I Don't Want to Worry Them"
A frequently cited reason elderly victims cannot consult their families is the desire to "not worry their children or grandchildren." Especially when the loss is large, the fear of the shock that "I lost my retirement savings" would cause leads them to bear the burden alone.
Even more serious is the fear of "being suspected of dementia." Telling family about the fraud may prompt concerns like "Is their judgment declining?" or "Is it dangerous for them to live alone?" - and the anxiety that their independent lifestyle might be taken away drives them to conceal the damage. Victims who disclose the fraud can also find themselves restricted by family members saying "Don't go out alone anymore" or "We'll hold onto your bankbook."
The Vicious Cycle Created by Low Reporting Rates
Victims' silence creates the following vicious cycle.
- Perpetrator arrest rates remain low: Without police reports, investigations cannot begin, and criminal groups continue operating undetected
- The true scale of damage remains invisible: Unreported damage is not reflected in policy-making, leading to insufficient budgets and personnel for countermeasures
- Society's sense of urgency fades: Published case numbers being lower than reality spreads the optimism that "it won't happen to me"
- Victim isolation deepens: Feeling "I'm the only one who was fooled" makes it even harder to seek help
As explained in the police consultation guide, filing a report is not just about individual victim relief - it contributes to society-wide fraud prevention.
Low Awareness of Consultation Services
Victims not knowing where to seek help is another factor in their silence. Multiple free consultation services exist, including the police consultation hotline #9110, consumer hotline 188, and Legal Support Center (0570-078374). Yet few people can recall which number to dial amid the panic that follows victimization.
Seniors in particular lack the habit of searching for consultation services online and tend to rely on information from phone directories or TV commercials. Repeatedly publicizing consultation service information through municipal newsletters and community circulars is important. The phone scam reporting guide compiles contact information and consultation procedures for each service.
What Those Around Victims Can Do
Never Say "It's Your Fault for Being Deceived"
The worst thing you can do to a victim is blame them with "Why did you fall for it?" or "Why didn't you consult someone?" The victim is already blaming themselves enough. Being blamed causes them to never disclose victimization again, increasing the risk of secondary damage. "Thank you for telling me" and "It's not your fault" are the first steps toward the victim's psychological recovery.
Make Scam Discussions Part of Daily Conversation
Making scam tactics and news a routine topic within the family builds a shared understanding that being targeted is nothing to be ashamed of and that anyone can fall victim. Casually sharing "I heard about this tactic" creates an atmosphere where consulting is easier if something happens.
Maintain Regular Contact
Make it a point to call elderly family members living apart at least once a week. Regular communication not only prevents the "isolated senior" state that scammers target, but also enables early detection of anomalies. Naturally asking "Have you gotten any strange calls lately?" can help catch signs of victimization.
Post Consultation Numbers in Visible Places
Write the police consultation hotline #9110 and consumer hotline 188 in large text and post them near the telephone in elderly family members' homes. Even in a state of panic immediately after victimization, having contact information in plain sight lowers the barrier to seeking help.
Recovery from Victimization
Fraud victimization involves not just financial loss but serious psychological damage. Some victims develop symptoms similar to PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). If symptoms such as fear of phone ringtones, reluctance to go outside, insomnia, or loss of appetite persist, consider visiting a psychosomatic medicine clinic or counseling service.
Victim support organizations and municipal consultation services provide comprehensive support including psychological care. As noted in the article on receiver arrests and their reality, even as the crackdown on criminal groups advances, victims' psychological recovery takes a long time. Rather than bearing it alone, it is important to seek professional help.