Japan Increases Rewards for Anonymous Crime Reporting to Combat Illegal Gambling

Governments and gaming authorities throughout the world are on a never-ending crusade to battle illicit gambling businesses who disrupt regulated industries, cheat taxes, and, in some cases, have links to criminal networks. In order to combat illicit gambling and related crimes, Japan has announced a big incentive: it would significantly increase the incentives for anonymous crime reporting.

The National Police Agency (NPA) of Japan has revealed intentions to increase prizes for persons who report crimes anonymously. The prize for anonymous criminal tips, which is now fixed at 100,000 yen ($680), is expected to undergo a significant change on October 1, 2023. It will reach a significant 1 million yen ($6,800).

This enhanced reward system will apply to those who report crimes leading to the dismantling of illegal organizations. Crimes eligible for reporting through phone or online channels encompass illegal gambling, drug-related offenses, human trafficking, prostitution, and more. The NPA aims to crack down on the array of offenses collectively known as “dark jobs,” which include robberies, thefts, and even child prostitution. Additionally, law enforcement will focus on mobile crime groups, often formed through social media, engaging in a variety of criminal activities.

Crime tips can be submitted conveniently via online platforms in multiple languages or by phone. A toll-free service number is available for individuals seeking more information or wishing to submit crime tips in Japanese. A private organization will be responsible for collecting and processing this information, subsequently reporting it to the NPA.

The decision to increase rewards for reporting crime follows the submission of over 27,000 tips during the fiscal year 2022. These tips resulted in arrests in 45 separate cases, with informants receiving a total of 530,000 yen ($3,600) in rewards for 11 distinct cases. The majority of these reported cases were related to drug offenses, underscoring the significance of anonymous crime reporting in tackling various criminal activities.