#Japan #Tokyo #Apple #Daiwa Securities #Cyber Fraud

Overview of June Cyber Fraud Report

The latest Cyber Fraud Report released highlights alarming trends in online scams, particularly a significant rise in phishing sites targeting major financial institutions and tech companies. June has seen a remarkable shift with Daiwa Securities' phishing sites multiplying eightfold compared to the previous month, while Apple's phishing websites surged more than seven times. This report captures the essence of consumer vulnerability in the digital landscape and emphasizes the necessity of vigilance against online deception.

Daiwa Securities Phishing Sites Spike

Daiwa Securities has reported an explosive increase in phishing attempts, suggesting a strategic shift in the distribution of fraudulent sites among securities firms. While previous months saw heightened activity around other firms like Rakuten Securities and SBI Securities, June marked a dramatic uptick solely with Daiwa Securities being the primary target. This escalation in attacks, particularly against Daiwa, poses significant risks to investors, with the Financial Services Agency reporting a staggering total of over 5 trillion yen involved in fraudulent trading activities between January and June 2025.

The decrease in phishing sites targeting Rakuten Securities coincides with increased security measures and public awareness, which inherently indicates a shifting focus of cybercriminals.

Surge in Apple Phishing Sites

Phishing attacks on Apple have escalated, exploiting tactics such as “account suspension” alerts and “payment method updates” to lure users into providing sensitive information. This diversification of phishing strategies, which also includes scams posing as Apple support, is particularly concerning. The nuanced approaches used by fraudsters necessitate a comprehensive understanding of the risks involved while using digital services.

Phishing Sites Ranking

In the phishing sites ranking for June, Apple claims the top position, with SBI Securities maintaining its place in the second spot, seeing a consistent increase in reported attempts. Additionally, there has been an alarming uptick in phishing sites targeting ANA, suggesting that during the traveling season, transportation-related phishing scams may rise significantly.

Category Analysis

June's data clearly reflects the impact of the surge in phishing sites targeting Apple, with the web services category witnessing an increase of over 20 points. While phishing attempts related to securities have decreased by 7 points, the absolute number is still rising, indicating persistent threats that require increased caution among users.

Prevention Tips for Phishing Scams

1. Verify Links: Always check whether the URLs provided in emails and messages are legitimate. Do not click on them directly; rather, use bookmarks or web searches to access official sites.
2. Scrutinize Suspicious Messages: Be aware that legitimate companies will never request sensitive information via email or SMS. Always be cautious about unsolicited messages prompting information submissions.
3. Unique Passwords: To minimize risks, avoid using the same login ID and password across various services. Unique credentials help mitigate the impact of a compromised account.
4. Utilize Security Software: As cyber threats evolve, having updated security software can alert users when they are accessing suspicious sites. This is crucial to safeguard personal information.

Expert Commentary: Tatsuya Mori

Professor Tatsuya Mori notes the abrupt increase in phishing targeting Apple in June, marking a sevenfold growth, and bringing attention to the varied techniques employed by attackers. The continuous targeting and subsequent shift among securities firms demonstrate a tactic employed to bypass securities measures. While firms are integrating multifactor authentication as a countermeasure, the need for heightened awareness remains essential. The emerging trends indicate a serious need for consumers to be mindful of potential threats in every service they engage with.

Sharing information about these scams with family and friends emerges as a key preventative measure against cyber fraud. Given his involvement as a user of various services, Professor Mori underscores a continual awareness to safeguard against potential phishing attacks.

Company Overview

BBSS Inc.

• - Location: Tokyo, Japan
• - CEO: Shin’ya Honda
• - Established: January 17, 2006
• - Shareholders: 100% owned by SB C&S
• - Business: Development and provision of consumer software and IoT services, licensing for businesses.
• - Website: BBSS Website