Japan earthquake: Scammers exploit disaster with fake victim stories on social media

In the wake of the magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck Kumamoto, Japan, a disturbing trend of misinformation and fraud has surfaced on social media. Scammers are exploiting the disaster to solicit donations by impersonating victims and their families.

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If you have anyone who can contact my mother, who is working at Aeon Mall Kumamoto, please send me a direct message.

One widely shared post on X (formerly Twitter) claimed a mother working at the "Aeon Mall Kumamoto" was missing following a large explosion at the shopping center. The post, which included the alleged employee's name and the mall's name, garnered over 14,000 views. The account later posted that the mother was presumed dead, prompting sympathetic comments and direct messages containing donations of up to 18,000 yen (approximately $120 USD).

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My mother is reported to have passed away.

However, claims later emerged that the purported victim did not exist. When confronted, the individual behind the account admitted to fabricating the story for "likes and attention," and reportedly refunded the donations. This incident is one of several cases where QR codes have been shared on social media for fraudulent donation schemes following the earthquake.

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I wanted to get likes and couldn't stop because of my need for attention.

Beyond donation scams, authorities are also dealing with false emergency calls and the spread of AI-generated fake videos, such as a fabricated building collapse. Misinformation aiming to sow panic, like claims that the earthquake was "man-made" or the mall explosion was a "terrorist act," is also circulating. This follows a pattern from a major earthquake in Kumamoto a decade ago, when false reports of escaped lions from a zoo caused public anxiety. Experts warn that with the current heatwave, fake news about heatstroke prevention and relief efforts could also spread, urging the public not to share unverified information.

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Fake news related to heatstroke, such as information on places to get drinks, is also expected to spread given the severe heat in the affected areas of Kumamoto.