A mysterious seed... One day, suddenly to you? August 4, 20:19

There are a lot of cases in which "seeds" that we don't remember arrive from overseas. The bag containing the seed may have a different brand name written on it.
Who sought the "mysterious seed" for what purpose?
I asked an expert who is familiar with these cases.
(Yokohama Broadcasting Reporter Tanaka Tanaka / Network Press Department Reporters Akihiko Kanno and Ken Mimida)

"Mysterious seeds" one after another


These consultations, such as “I received a plant seed that I didn't remember ordering,” have been coming one after another to plant quarantine stations.

Last month, a parcel arrived at a man's home in Miura City, Kanagawa Prefecture, and there were dozens of seeds, such as a round brown plant, about 2 mm in diameter.

It is thought that it was from China that it was sent from the label notation.
Similar posts were posted one after another on Twitter, and I was able to hear from a woman in her 30s living in Tokyo who posted photos of species.

Deepening mystery

It was on the 28th of last month that the woman received a bag that she did not remember.
He thought, "It's a really small and thin bag." I was surprised and anxious because "CHINA POST" was written on the bag and said, "Why from China? I don't remember asking."
I didn't know what was in it by touching it, and when I opened it, it contained a small seed. Women look for similar things online. Then I learned that the same thing is happening overseas.

Woman
"Is there any purpose? I thought it would be unacceptable to do this."

The woman then sent the seeds to a phytosanitary station.

Woman
"I don't know, but I had received a product from China in the past using an online shopping site. I think that information may be leaking from somewhere."

The label of the bag that reaches the woman also contains the word "ring", further deepening the mystery.

Consultation from all over the country

When did these cases increase?
When I asked the Yokohama Plant Quarantine Station, I heard that in Japan, around the 29th of last month, the plant quarantine stations nationwide have been receiving a series of consultations stating that "species unknown to me have been sent overseas.

For this reason, we are calling attention on Twitter and our website, telling us that Japan cannot import unless it has passed the inspection by the plant quarantine officer and is stamped with the "plant inspection pass stamp".

Person in charge of plant quarantine station
"This seed does not have this passmark, so I can not have it without reporting. If it arrives, please contact the plant quarantine station. If it is unopened If you are worried, please contact the post office as you can refuse to receive it."

Some are green onions?

In addition, plant quarantine stations call for seeds not to be planted in gardens or to open bags containing seeds, as pests may be attached to the seeds.
In addition, several species of this species have been confirmed, and some of them may belong to the allium family.

Flirtation

After all, who sends the seeds for what purpose?
On the SNS, various speculations are flying around.
"Bioterrorism that infects bacteria and viruses," "Is the purpose of obtaining personal information?" and so on.
Among them, the post "Isn't it a scam?" stands out.
We asked Mr. Fumiaki Tada, who was a member of the Consumer Affairs Agency's committee on fraud damage and was familiar with fraud and malicious business law, with what he might have sent.

Possibility 1 “Brushing Scam”

The first thing I pointed out was the "brushing scam."
In fact, there are a lot of cases where seeds are being sent in the United States, and according to local reports, the US Department of Agriculture explains that there is a possibility of "brushing fraud."

This is a method in which an online seller sells a product without permission and then impersonates the recipient to give the product or vendor a high rating online.
In the case of the United States, the contents of the slip are written as jewels, and even if the actual contents are seeds, we will sell gems and inflate the high evaluation.

We aim to increase the number of customers who want to purchase products based on that information. Thinking that the woman in Tokyo who responded to the interview also wrote "ring" on the label, I feel the possibility of brushing fraud.

Possibility 2 "International call fraud"

Next, I pointed out the possibility of fraudulent use of international calls.
A telephone number is written on the slip.
Since he doesn't know the product, he said that if he called to make an inquiry, he could be connected to an international call and be charged a high fee even for a short call.

Possibility 3 "Commercial Commercial Code"

I also point out the possibility of the "sending commercial law."
This is a method that is often reported in Japan. You will be sent items such as "masks" that you have not ordered, and you will be asked to pay for them using cash on delivery or invoices.

However, in this case, I point out that there is a possibility that the fee may be charged by calling the number written on the slip instead of cash on delivery or invoice.

Possibility 4 “Abuse of personal information”

And it is possible that they are trying to obtain personal information.
When you receive an item, the sender knows that the address or name of the person who received it is correct.

On the other hand, if the item returns without being delivered, you know that the person in question is no longer there.
It is said that there is a possibility that the personal information written list is updated based on the information obtained in this way and that it is bought and sold as the latest one.

Be careful of further damage

If you receive seeds, Mr. Tada advises that you should first check your credit card usage history to see if there are any unexpected expenses.

Mr. Tada: Although
it may not be directly damaging just by receiving it, there is no doubt that the other party has personal information. By misusing that information, you can deceive money in another way. You may try to come in. If you get suspicious calls or emails, be careful.”

Is it a seed of...

A mysterious seed that can be sent to various places.
There are similar cases all over the world, and the purpose and identity of the sender are unknown.

However, as experts point out, it may be the "crime seed" sown by a malicious person lurking somewhere.
Please note earnestly.