Got Scammed by a Japan Proxy Shopper? 4-Step Recovery Guide
Paid but no goods? Got a fake? Ghosted? This 4-step guide walks you through evidence preservation, PayPal/card chargebacks, police reporting and submitting the case to Michi for blacklist.
TL;DR
- ✓ Step 1: Preserve every chat + payment proof within 48h
- ✓ Step 2: Open PayPal or card chargeback fast
- ✓ Step 3: Police report (Japan + your country)
- ✓ Step 4: Submit to Michi /disputes for blacklist
- ✓ Prevent: use ✓ Verified shoppers next time
Cross-border proxy fraud is harder to recover than local fraud, but if you nail the first 48 hours your recovery odds jump from 10% to 60%+.
Step 1: Preserve evidence within 48 hours
- Chat logs: export from WhatsApp / LINE / WeChat / IG DM — full text not just screenshots
- Payment proof: bank transfer screenshot (show counterparty account), PayPal transaction ID, card statement
- Shopper's public profile: IG / RedNote / SNS — they often delete after being called out
- Listing: original product photos and quote
Pro tip: screen-record the whole chat scroll (built-in on iOS and Android). Video evidence is stronger than stills.
Step 2: Chargeback (time-critical)
PayPal Goods & Services
- Resolution Centre → Report a Problem
- "Item not received" or "Significantly not as described"
- Upload evidence
- Decision in 7–14 days, high success rate
Credit card
- Call your issuer's hotline; request a chargeback / dispute
- Complete the dispute form
- Window: 60–120 days from transaction
- Investigation: 30–90 days
Bank transfer
Hardest. Recovery via local police + bank reporting only.
Step 3: Police report
- Japan NPA cyber portal:
npa.go.jp/cyber/. Above ¥100,000 file in person. - Hong Kong: 999 → Commercial Crime Bureau (CCD)
- Taiwan: 165 anti-fraud hotline
- Malaysia: PDRM CCID
Cross-border arrests are rare, but the report number is required for chargeback escalation.
Step 4: Submit to Michi
File at Michi /disputes. We:
- Verify identity if the shopper registered with Michi
- De-list and blacklist offenders
- Help mediate if the shopper is still active
- Share patterns to a community alert
Michi is not an escrow; we can't force refunds, but we preserve evidence and steer you through chargeback.
Common scam patterns
| Type | Signs | Fastest recovery |
|---|---|---|
| Paid + ghosted | No reply after deposit | PayPal chargeback (within 48h) |
| Fake goods | Counterfeit luxury | Card chargeback + auth report |
| Phantom raffle win | Claims they won but no proof | Request SNKRS order screenshot |
| Inflated shipping | Extra 30% "customs" | Check actual customs rate |
Prevention
Filter for ✓ Verified or ✦ Premium shoppers on the Michi directory next time. They've passed identity checks and carry public ratings.
FAQ
Is chargeback always successful?+
PayPal G&S 80%+; credit card 60–75%. Outcome depends on evidence completeness. Bank transfer recoveries are rare — escalate to police.
What if I can't recover the money?+
Keep the police report — useful for tax write-offs or insurance. Reporting to Michi protects future buyers from the same shopper.
Will Japan police actually act?+
The cyber portal records cases; physical arrests usually need a high amount (¥500,000+) or grouped victims. Most of their value is generating a report number for your chargeback.