Science & Tech · Cybersecurity · 9 hrs ago
Man referred to prosecutors over alleged rogue phone tower in Tokyo
Tokyo police referred Yu Hai to prosecutors over allegations that he used an unlicensed device to disrupt mobile service in Ginza.
The 31-year-old Chinese man was arrested while allegedly operating the device from a car, and he denies the allegations.
Police believe it was an IMSI catcher, which can collect phones’ identifying numbers, and suspect it forced nearby phones onto an older network before sending texts.
Suspicious Chinese-language texts have reached people at tourist sites across Tokyo since around January last year, with links to websites suspected of being used for phishing.
By October, 18 Chinese nationals visiting or studying in Japan had reported problems including unauthorized card use, with losses totaling about 4 million yen.
Police are investigating whether Yu is connected to the scheme, while similar messages have been reported in busy shopping and entertainment areas elsewhere in Japan.
People are advised to leave an area if phone service becomes unstable and avoid opening unfamiliar messages.
Yu Hai, a 31-year-old Chinese man, was referred to prosecutors over the alleged use of a rogue cell tower in Tokyo’s Ginza district.
Police suspect the device disrupted NTT Docomo services and may have been linked to phishing messages sent to mobile phones.
Yu was arrested on suspicion of operating a base station without a license, an alleged offense under Japan’s Radio Law.
Yu has denied the allegations.
By October 2026, 18 Chinese nationals had reported problems including unauthorized credit card use after visiting websites linked in suspicious messages, with reported losses of about 4 million yen.
- Who
- Yu Hai, a 31-year-old Chinese man and resident of Tokyo’s Kita Ward, was referred to prosecutors.
- What
- He is suspected of operating an unlicensed base station that disrupted mobile phone services. Police are investigating a possible link to phishing messages.
- When
- He was arrested Saturday and referred to prosecutors Monday; the articles were published on Nov. 9, 2026.
- Where
- Tokyo’s Ginza shopping district.
- Why
- Police suspect he used a device to interfere with mobile services and send messages linked to a phishing scheme.
Yu Hai
Tokyo police
Allegation
Yu Hai
Yu has denied the allegations.
Tokyo police
Police allege that Yu operated an unlicensed base station that disrupted NTT Docomo services.
Phishing link
Yu Hai
Yu’s position on a possible phishing connection is not stated.
Tokyo police
Police are investigating whether the device was connected to a phishing scheme using illegal radio signals.
Foreign tourists and others at Tokyo tourist sites began receiving suspicious text messages in Chinese containing web links.
Japan’s communications ministry raised the issue with Tokyo police.
The ministry warned the public that fake base stations were interfering with mobile phone services.
Yu was arrested on suspicion of operating an unlicensed base station in Ginza.
18 Chinese nationals had contacted police about problems including unauthorized credit card use, with reported losses totaling about 4 million yen.
Yu was referred to prosecutors.
- Suspect
- Yu Hai, 31
- District
- Ginza, Tokyo
- Carrier
- NTT Docomo
- Reported contacts
- 18 Chinese nationals by October 2026
- Reported losses
- About 4 million yen ($25,300)
- Alleged offense
- Operating a base station without a license under Japan’s Radio Law