The National Police Agency said Friday it has confirmed Japan's first case of e-mail fraud.

The NPA did not release details of the crime, known as "phishing," except that it occurred last month and caused several hundred thousand yen in damage. Phishing involves tricking a message recipient into releasing credit card numbers and other personal information through bogus Web sites.

Police will take action against those responsible for these scams either by arresting them or turning their case over to prosecutors as soon as they confirm the existence of a fraudulent Web site, agency officials said.

They said police are pursuing the case, which constitutes an obstruction of business, a copyright violation and illegal access to computer networks.

This type of fraud has been widely reported in Europe and the United States, resulting in significant financial damage.

Phishing stands for "fishing" up personal information using "sophisticated" e-mail as bait.

Perpetrators send e-mail that appears to come from an actual bank or credit card firm and has the recipient access a bogus Web site, where the victim is instructed to input personal data.

The data are then used to purchase goods or withdraw money from accounts.

The NPA set up hotlines Friday at all prefectural police headquarters nationwide to respond to reports of e-mail fraud, the officials said. It plans to gather information through such calls and ask industry groups, including the Japanese Bankers Association, to better educate customers about these scams.