Do you know the word “Yami Baito”? In recent years, Japan has seen an increase in the number of part-time jobs with bad conditions and an employment environment due to labor shortages caused by an aging population and other factors. Recently, the rapid increase in the number of foreigners working in Japan has made foreigners the target of Yami Baito.

To avoid it, you need to know about the correct employment conditions and the characteristics of the “Yami Baito”

This article will introduce you to what is “Yami Baito” and basic knowledge to determine if it is a proper working environment.

What is Yami Baito?

Yami Baito (闇バイト) refers to underground or illicit work, often involving activities outside the bounds of legal employment. It encompasses various activities aimed at quick financial gains, frequently through fraudulent schemes like "ore ore phone scams," where perpetrators impersonate a relative in distress to extort money.

These activities operate in the shadows, beyond the legal boundaries, making them risky for both participants and victims. Despite the appealing amounts of money, engaging in Yami Baito can have serious legal consequences, potentially resulting in criminal charges.

Yami Baito and Social Media

If it is illegal, just how do people recruit for Yami Baito?

The crime syndicates behind these operations have adapted to the digital age, leveraging social media platforms to actively recruit unsuspecting individuals. Using enticing tags such as “get rich quick,” they target vulnerable teens and young adults with promises of easy money.

However, the harsh reality is that these opportunities often involve engaging in fraudulent activities and large-scale theft.

To curb the rise of Yami Baito, authorities are intensifying efforts to educate and raise awareness among the youth. In doing so, they hope to protect individuals from falling into this trap.

How to Avoid Yami Baito?

・Check the Terms and Conditions of Reward

If you are paid a large amount of money for a simple job or a short period of time, such as just one day, it may be a black market job. If you are in need of money and in a tight corner, you may think that you can only do it once.

However, once you are involved, it is difficult to get out of the Yami Baito. Be wary of jobs where the compensation is not commensurate with the work.

・Job offer Statement

Yami Baito offers are well-directed with wording that, if it were true, would be appealing to everyone to apply. Such phrases as, "High income in a short time!" Easy money!" or "Field survey only," beware of these words.

After you have applied for a job, when you feel uneasy, they may try to reassure you by telling you that no one has ever been arrested before. Do not trust job offers that try to solicit you with sweet words.

・Use a Credible Job Site

To avoid Yami Baito, it is important to find jobs from a credible job site. Criteria for a credible job site include a large number of registered candidates and generous support from the company.

Guidable jobs is a job site specializing in foreigners with over 200,000 registered foreigners. Even those who are looking for a job in Japan for the first time can use this service with confidence, and the person in charge will support you throughout the process, from the initial interview to after you start working.

Please check out if you do not want to fail in your job search in Japan!

Protecting Youth from Yami Baito

In a recent educational seminar, the police visited a high school to raise awareness among soon-to-graduate students about the risks associated with Yami Baito. The presentation included valuable insights into identifying potential recruitment tactics on social media platforms.

Be wary of hashtags such as:

SameDaySamePay

BigMoney

HighPayingPartTimeJobs

FunWork

MakeMoneyCarryingLuggages

(Translated from Japanese)

Shocking statistics also reveal that approximately 1 in 5 individuals engaged in Yami Baito are under the age of 20. In the face of such recruitment offers, it is important to exercise caution and refrain from responding to them. Above all, individuals should not share personal information with these entities, safeguarding themselves against potential exploitation and harm.

"Nise" Phone Scam and “Dashi Ko”

One of the more recent and a notable emergence in the realm of Yami Baito is the Nise Phone Scam. "Nise" translates to "fake," and this scam often involves impersonating someone else, such as in the notorious ore ore phone scam. Victims are tricked into depositing money into an ATM under false pretenses.

Once the money is deposited, members of a criminal organization known as "dashiko" are sent to retrieve the funds. Although they are ostensibly not involved in illegal activities, they are unwitting accomplices in the scam. This highlights the insidious nature of black-market money lenders and shows how easily young people can be duped into engaging in such activities.

Be Aware of Yami Baito!

There are still numerous Yami Baito out there, and you should always be careful, even if you think you are safe. In particular foreigners who are looking for work in Japan for the first time or who need a job quickly are easy targetsrgets, so do not be hasty and decide on a job carefully.

Guidable jobs introduces a wide variety of job types in various regions throughout Japan so please Check Out!