Authorities have revealed an elaborate scam operation linked to the "Shoko" dating app. Users reportedly enticed into fraudulent relationships were conned out of their money under false pretenses. Though the exact timeline remains unclear, the scam has reportedly been ongoing for some time before coming to public attention. It's unknown how many are affected or the total amount stolen.

Online scams, particularly those involving dating and relationships, are a growing concern in Japan. Government and society place great importance on cybersecurity, with legal consequences for cybercrimes. Many Japanese people are very careful about sharing personal information online due to privacy concerns.

Like Japan, the US, and EU also face similar issues with online scams, particularly in the realm of dating apps. The laws are strict around fraud, and public awareness campaigns are common, encouraging citizens to be cautious when interacting online.