May.24.2005

Japanese Bankers Association

Publication of Survey on Illegal Withdrawals using Counterfeit Cash Cards

JBA surveyed its 181 member banks on the "Quantity and amount of withdrawals using stolen passbooks," "Quantity of accounts suspended or cancelled by banks due to illegal use" and "Quantity and amount of withdrawals using counterfeit cash cards." The findings were released on May 24.

(Table 1) Withdrawals Using Stolen Passbooks

(Unit: million yen)

Period Cases Amount
April---June 2003 244 804
July---Sep. 2003 183 685
Oct.---Dec. 2003 140 246
Jan.---March 2004 107 223
April---June 2004 55 51
July---Sep. 2004 80 71
Oct.---Dec. 2004 80 166
Jan.---March 2005 53 62
Notes: 1. These figures depict cases in which actual withdrawals had been made by the time banks were notified by customers that withdrawals had been made using stolen passbooks.
2. The period indicates when banks were notified by customers that withdrawals had been made using stolen passbooks.
3. The figures for cases represent the number of account holders.

(Table 2) Account Suspension and Cancellation by Banks Due to Illegal Use
Period Suspension Cancellation Total
April---June 2003 733 583 (320) 996
July---Sep. 2003 2,512 1,749 (648) 3,613
Oct.---Dec. 2003 6,181 5,466 (2,489) 9,158
Jan.---Mar. 2004 8,792 8,039 (4,754) 12,077
April---June 2004 7,714 7,687 (4,974) 10,427
July---Sep. 2004 10,858 8,555 (5,340) 14,073
Oct.---Dec. 2004 12,913 9,460 (8,549) 13,824
Jan.---March 2005 10,580 7,700 (5,562) 12,718

Notes: 1. The illegal use of accounts refers to bank accounts used for illegal/criminal purposes (designating accounts for payments to loan sharks, designating accounts for payment of false invoices related to website use, "it's me" frauds, etc.).
2. The figures represent the number of accounts.
3. The figures in parentheses are the number of cancelled accounts for which use had already been suspended.
4. The figures in parentheses are not included in the total.

(Table 3) Withdrawals Using Counterfeit Cash Cards
(Unit: million yen)
Period Cases Amount
Fiscal 2001 1 19
Fiscal 2002 4 16
Fiscal 2003 100 290
April---June 2004 54 188
July---Sep. 2004 71 273
Oct.---Dec. 2004 206 379
Jan.---March 2005 80 128
Notes: 1. The figures illustrate cases where banks believe counterfeit cash cards were used to make withdrawals or cash loan transactions.
2. The period indicates when withdrawals were made using counterfeit cash cards.
3. The figures for cases represent the number of account holders.