In Japan, QR code scams have been surfacing in the wake of natural disasters, exploiting the goodwill of disaster relief efforts. Scammers are taking advantage of the process by disseminating counterfeit QR codes for donations. Individuals looking to contribute to disaster relief efforts unknowingly scan these codes, and their money ends up in the hands of fraudsters rather than the intended recipients. Authorities are now educating the public on how to identify and avoid these scams.

In Japan, QR code payments are increasingly popular, making them an easy target for fraudsters. The exploitation of disaster relief efforts is especially critical as Japan is a country often hit by natural disasters, and QR code donations have become a conventional method of providing quick assistance. Public awareness of this issue is high, given the society's high regard for order, trust, and giving aid during times of need.

In the US or EU, similar technology scams exist, but are often centered around email phishing or spoofed websites rather than QR codes. QR codes are not as widely adopted in these regions for payments compared to in Japan. Nonetheless, awareness campaigns for tech fraud and scams in all forms are routinely conducted by government bodies and private institutions.