In 2024, Japan experienced a marked increase in criminal activity, with the number of reported criminal cases exceeding 730,000, representing a third consecutive year of growth. This rise is attributed primarily to a surge in special fraud cases, which reached a record high of approximately 722 billion yen, a 1.6-fold increase from the previous year. Notably, social media-related scams, including investment and romance fraud, contributed significantly to this figure, with losses from these scams alone surpassing 1.26 trillion yen. The Police Agency has indicated that the increase in online banking and non-face-to-face transactions has facilitated these frauds. The rise in criminal cases and fraud is prompting concerns regarding public safety and the effectiveness of law enforcement in addressing these issues.