Scammed In Shinjuku

SinfullyKorean said:

I know I was stupid. I wasn't thinking. So please reframe from "you should have been more careful", "you're an idiot." Cuz I already know...

I'm writing this in the hopes that it will help other newcomers to the area.

I walked out of Shinjuku Prince Hotel, right into Kabukicho, the red light district center of Tokyo. Just wanted to take the sights in. Not 5 minutes into my walk, these japanese and black guys walk up to me and start asking me if I want to have sex with a Japanese girl. I walked away from a few, saying I'm just here to look. But this one black guy calls over his Japanese friend ("Yoshi"), and has him guide me around a bit. Which I appreciated. Of course he's trying to sell me a call girl service. He started quoting prices around 40,000 yen for 120 minute soapland experience. But it was higher than my budget for the night, so I politely declined. After walking and talking for a few more minutes, he recommended that I try just a love hotel call girl for 22,000 yen for 70 minutes, + 2,000 yen for lotion play. This happened to be around my budget.

So here's the setup:
He then tells me I got to meet with the shop employee ("Nagashi"), who will show me a list of girls for me to choose from. I can choose up to 3, in case when the girl shows up, she's different than what I expect. After I choose the girl, I have to pay the guy upfront. It was similar to what I've read about some shops where you pay after choosing from a set of pictures. Then, as we're walking to the hotel, he tells me I need to make a 50,000 yen deposit, which I'll get back if I don't go over my time limit. But I didn't have the 50,000 yen. He made a phone call and said 30,000 yen is ok. We got to the hotel and he told me to wait there while he gets the girl. He left, never to show up again.

About an hour and a half later, after looking around everywhere for this guy, I went back to the hotel he told me to wait at. I saw another poor guy, 19 from Hong Kong, who's also "waiting" for the girl to arrive. I told him my story and we went to the police. They ripped him out of 90,000 yen, almost took his passport, too.

The police took a report of our claim, but that was probably futile.

TR;DL - I got scammed 54,000 yen by this Japanese guy who promised a call girl and told me to wait at a hotel.

Please be careful, guys. Especially those new to the area, like me...

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J.V. said:

Ask to see the girls!
the 'photo selection' is a complete scam. They don't care which one you pick. They will send some grandma, or maybe not send anyone.
There are bars in kabukicho where you can drink with girls who will leave with you to a hotel if you make some common arrangement.
One of these is called 'anniversary'
Heres the golden rule: If thes staff don't let you see the girl, you're going to be screwed.

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J.V. said:

As far as I know Happy Berry does not offer Honban/FS

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J.V. said:

As far as I know Happy Berry does not offer Honban/FS

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Phil_2014 said:

Hi,
New here but found this thread because, well...you probably guessed it.

Just got back from Shitjuku (excuse me, Shinjuku) downing my drink as I type this. I'm a veteran when it comes to this industry in various countries. But this incident involved my safety and wellbeing. Someone mentioned Yakuza here, and this was my involvement:

-Cost of scam? Totaled 66K Yen plus my time and train trip.
-Scammer: Japanese
-Method: Teaming up with the store.

I don't fall for scams, but this one beats me unfortunately. Its like some Japanese want to punish me for seeking adult service (yet, I'm fine with no intercourse and keeping things legal)

Here I am walking around the red district dodging all Africans, and a Japanese guy approaches me for some business. My reason to follow through: I wanted to get past the door for a soapland, then take care of business from there.

I already know he is a scammer but I wanted him to get me through and I'm ok to pay him commission. He tried the pictures method on a tablet with another guy, and asked me to pay 25k to him on the street for a 70 minute session. I'm like forget it, not happening. I ask him to take me to the store and I pay them inside. So he takes me there with his buddy (Japanese I should add). Then tried to get the cash before going up to the store. Again I'm like forget it. Then he decides to take me to a pickup bar that has soapland facilities. So I went with it and insisted I pay the store not him. We get there, door man opens the door and shows me 4 ladies, average but okay since they supposedly spoke some English...I pay the doorman 25k for a 70 minute session where I've been told by the scammer that it includes their rooms for soap fun.

I get in, door closes, it sure is a lounge with a bunch of ladies and tables with bottles and I'm asked to be seated. I look around, plenty nice girls. But, some looked very sad and sort of "forced into the situation". I'm completely against human trafficking, forced prostitution or any other form of abuse. I've had fantastic encounters in the past with professionals who willingly engaged in the trade, expressed it, and never put me on the clock because we simply socialize and go from there. I treat all ladies with utmost respect (no insults or aggressive style).

Anyhow, a lady who apparently spoke some English sat with me to discuss things. From the get go she tells me my drinks are on the house. I'm like ok cool. But, my bottles on the table are not sealed, so I asked for sealed bottles. First she pretended that she didn't understand, then she tried to convince me not to worry and go ahead because sealed bottles are expensive. I refused and asked for a menu. She gets me a laminated paper that lists some sort of time and membership fees (500k annual membership, no drinks list). At this point I was completely annoyed by the situation and just wanted to bust out.

I explained to her my 25k payment at the door, she insisted it was not for the store NOR her. That's when I realized I'm dealing with 3 parties pretending to be independent but are, in reality, collaborating. The lady spoke decent English when she wanted to, and when I corner her, suddenly she doesn't understand! After much debate and her realizing no way for extra money, three dudes are summoned to my table, the biggest/fatest one gave it to me plain and simple: pay 39k to get out, or pay 30k to go out with the girl I'm not even interested in.

I argue and try to stand up to find my way to the exit, but things got a bit heated and at the verge of physical engagement, the fatso wraps his arm around me and tells me in a "there is no way but to pay" way, make your choice.

Already long story short, it became a safety issue than money. I paid up the 30k and ended up with the lady in one heck of a shady joint (charged 8k, 2k of which she paid after telling her that the place is not my standard). She refused I pick a love hotel even after showing her the web page (literally 5 stars quality). At the shady place, people next to us are getting it on, but she didn't want to even touch me with her hands and started massaging me with a towel barrier (seriously?!? I shower twice a day and smell better than her, everywhere! And get compliments on looks). After 30 min of fake touching and begs for more "plus money" I said In a mechanical way: Sorry, time is up I have to go. I felt like a victim...thank god no more surprises on the way out and I'm back home safe.

Moral of the story: such business in japan is horrible and I don't care about the exceptions because they are just that, exceptions. Over 30 attempts at stores gave me the "X" because it is only Japanese is enough for my statement.

I miss China, where a 5k Yen would get me a fabulous massage service (4 hours at a top facility) and HJ is simply part of the deal without me asking. Oh, zero English I may add.

Please don't get me wrong, I love Japan in many aspects, except this one. Too bad it is such a teaser with no real pleasers! Please spread the word fellow Gaijins. Because since when does this trade involve verbal language? It is all body language. I've read excuse about face value...etc. Please, trust is a bigger thing here. But if it's ok to scam, I don't believe there is face value to begin with. Money is no big issue for me, but to be treated in such a way is way worse because I did not get what I want. I really don't understand what some Japanese are trying to protect when they do this. Maybe they get a kick out of it? The store was full of Japanese customers so I am completely perplexed.

Thank you for reading and I would appreciate some thoughts,

Phil

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Solong said:

I mentioned previously that most street scammers are Japanese/Asian, in Japan. There are more of them and they have a WIDE RANGE of scams. They also have deeper connections and networks, where the scams can lead to your home or directly to your bank account. Yakuza have long been known to blackmail and strong arm people at their homes or for weekly payments. So we are not talking anything new under the sun, but tried and proven mafia tricks.

Where foreigners are concerned, these street hustlers are not always Japanese, who amazingly still have a very low level of English. However, Chinese and Koreans have a higher level of English language ability and might be targeting foreigners at a greater level. Remember that Chinese and Korean gangs can be very deep and lead all the way back to their home countries or have strong ties with the Yakuza and a vast array of scams.

Many people have pointed the finger at the Africans, but they are a very small minority in Japan. A group who is easily tracked by appearance, often well known by local police, and who usually operate very close to their businesses. Due to bias and politics, Africans are often singled out or whatever they do wrong is overly hyped in the media.

By far, the real danger is the Asian scammers. And if they are focusing on speaking English and/or targeting tourists/foreigners, then you better watch out. The Olympics is coming to Japan, tourists numbers are up, and these guys may be looking for new victims to run their scams on.

There are a lot of legit businesses and services in Kabukicho. I suggest that before trying a place, find out about it first. Avoid the street hustlers. This is the same in Germany, Czech, Thailand, or America. Dudes approaching you on the street for business or money, should be viewed with caution.

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just4fun said:

There used to be an older little chubbyish wore classes caucasian American guy in Kabukicho and he was a piece of shit also.

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Kisekisan said:

Sounds almost identical to what happened to me. In hindsight I wish I had just paid the dudes and told the girl to fuck off when they were out of sight. The girl WAS actually interested in giving me a service though in my case, so it sucks that you got so little out of it. I kind of want to track down the Japanese guy that got me into that mess and see what he does.

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Phil_2014 said:

Couldn't edit previous post, but attached bill is the info of the place that billed me. Not sure if it points out the exact place for others to beware.

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Martin said:

I want to add to this. In mid October 2014, I went to Kabukicho. Some guy asked if I wanted sex with a Japanese girl.

He brought me to a place near an elevator away from public. That guy had a laptop with girls I can pick from.

He took me up to an elevator. A door opened with a guy. Seedy elevator and room. Four okay women showed up and then they closed the door. It was meant to show that there were girls. They would NEVER be used for sex by the way. They are just friends from my eyes.

He says you can take them to love hotels. But you have to pay first before seeing the girl. Part of the scam. The photos were of models.

The guy asked if I wanted to see more girls. Brought me up to another elevator. Door opens, four girls stand there, then they close. Those girls IMO were just friends and are there to help the scam.

I agreed and he brought me to another lobby of a small place where nobody can see. A guy with a suit, who I think is part of the Yakuza, said I had to pay 22000 yen ($200 US). I did after picking.

The other guy left. Then out of the blue he says you have to pay a 30000 yen deposit ($300 US) and after shower, sex, 90 minutes the girl will give it back. I was suspicious. I said you never told me this. He said I'm telling you now. I said the girl will have that money on her?

I didn't have the money so he brought me to a nearby ATM at 7-Eleven. I like a moron withdrew 30000 yen.

I followed this guy. I asked how long he did this (not 100% sure it was a scam). He said ten years. He was on his cellphone.

He then brought me up to a seedy elevator to a room, and said "Have a good time". He left.

Door opens. A big guy sat me down in a small room. He then brought a paper and said to stay at his love hotel for 60 mins, it's 12000 yen ($120). For a 90 it's 18000 ($180). I said I already paid the other guy. He said that was not for the hotel and he only does the hotel.

At that instant, $520 US down, I knew I was scammed and was pissed off inside. I guess I was stupid and deserved it.

I knew then I had to get out of there. I said hmm I don't the money. I have to go to an ATM. Can I? He said sure.

As I left the room, I asked him what happens if I pay. He said the guy would bring the girl over. I thought how unlikely that was. He said he has nothing to do with this and just provides the room. But he'll get one phone call only.

I said would that guy give me my money back and cancel? He said probably not.

I said I'm canceling. He said okay and went back in. That was an easy $520 US they earned from three hustlers. The trick is to keep the person paying.

I'm lucky nothing worse happened. I am embarrassed but am sharing because those assholes do this daily to others. I saw a Nigerian get some guy to withdraw money from the same ATM.

These high profile scams happen in the red light district of Tokyo and I guess they may believe we deserve it for looking for that type of thing.

I hope this prevents others from falling for it. I don't think any prostitution would happen there. I don't know enough but can only judge from my own experience.

Just don't look at them, say no, and walk away, if you're there.

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