PANAJI (GOA): Following increasing incidents of cases of illegal confinement, fraud, false criminal cases, and robbery involving Japanese tourists near Anjuna Beach in Goa, the Consulate General of Japan in Mumbai has issued a warning for the Japanese tourists visiting or planning to visit this popular beach.

In an advisory issued recently, the Consulate General has asked Japanese tourists to remain aware and vigilant of any activities of criminal groups targeting travelers, and implicating them into false cases of banned drug possession and then extorting money from them.

Last year in April, a 59-year old Japanese tourist was implicated in a case of illegal possession of banned drugs (charas and ganja), and was arrested by Anjuna Police. The police had recovered the drugs from a scooter parked outside his rented accommodation.

“An incident similar to this case occurred even before the corona disaster several years ago. As the number of people traveling overseas has increased due to the recent relaxation of immigration restrictions in response to the novel coronavirus infection, please be aware that there is a possibility that the activities of criminal groups targeting travelers, etc., have intensified.”

The Consulate General stated that recently, there have been multiple cases of confinement, fraud and robbery involving Japanese tourists near Anjuna Beach in Goa. “Due to the relaxation of immigration restrictions due to the novel coronavirus infection, the number of people traveling overseas is increasing, and as a result, the activities of criminal groups targeting travelers may be increasing, so please be careful,” the advisory issued in Japanese language stated.

“If you are contacted by a stranger in a foreign country, please be careful not to easily trust them as they may be suspicious of fraud. In the vicinity of Anjuna Beach in Goa, multiple people colluded, accused travelers of possessing drugs such as marijuana, made them into criminals, and robbed them of cash, smartphones, credit cards, etc. increase. If you are approached by a stranger at your travel destination, be suspicious of them as scammers and avoid joining them,” the advisory stated.

As a modus operandi, a criminal group approach foreign tourists posing as tourists, and after gaining their trust by directing kind acts such as tourist information, invited them to go to a friend’s apartment, etc. After disguising joint possession of marijuana and other drugs, a colleague who plays the role of a police officer appears, threatens violence as a criminal suspect, confines the victim in a room in an apartment, and demands cash, a smartphone, a credit card, and a personal identification number. Please be aware that multiple individuals will work together to approach the traveler.

The Consulate General of Japan in Mumbai has also mentioned its address and other contact details for aany Japanese tourists requiring any kind of help.

住所：No.1, M.L. Dahanukar Marg, Cumballa Hill, Mumbai-400 026

Phone: (+91-22)2351-7101

FAX ： (+91-22)2351-7122

Email： [email protected]

Website: https://www.mumbai.in.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_ja/index.htm

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