Osaka Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura said Thursday that he is considering banning people from using mobile phones while operating ATMs, in an effort to protect elderly people from fraud.
Speaking to reporters, Yoshimura also said he is considering obliging businesses, such as convenience stores, to confirm the purpose of buying expensive prepaid cards by elderly customers, a practice that often makes them victims of so-called special fraud.
The governor plans to propose the measures to the prefectural assembly in February next year. Such measures are expected to be the first in Japan, if enacted, according to Yoshimura.
There were 2,656 special fraud cases in Osaka Prefecture last year, with ¥3.66 billion ($22.7 million) stolen in total. Most of the victims were elderly people given instructions by perpetrators on the phone to transfer money to bank accounts.
Yoshimura plans to oblige financial institutions to take notice of elderly customers operating an ATM while talking on mobile phones. He is also considering having financial institutions utilize cameras with artificial intelligence to monitor customers, as it is difficult to place security guards at all ATMs.
"Many special fraud cases can be prevented," Yoshimura said. It is a despicable and unforgivable crime to take all retirement funds from victims, he said.