14.1% Victimization Rate: The Trap Targeting People in Their 20s Through Romance Scams｜Clabo Inc.

Clabo Inc. conducted a survey on romance scams and investment solicitations among 746 people with experience investing in crypto assets. The results show that 54.6% of crypto asset users have encountered romance scams or similar investment solicitations, while 14.1% actually invested money and became victims. The victimization rate was especially high among people in their 20s, reaching 21.6%, the highest among all age groups. The findings highlight how younger users are being targeted through social media and dating apps with sophisticated approaches, including promises such as “easy profits.” The report explains that about 70% of victims are concentrated among people in their 20s and 30s, and that users who prefer short-term trading are more likely to fall victim, suggesting a correlation between investment style and scam risk. It warns that a single poor decision can lead directly to losses of hundreds of thousands of yen or more, and urges users to reaffirm the principle of personal responsibility in protecting their assets. The survey found that more than half of crypto asset users had encountered fraudulent solicitations. However, not everyone who encountered such approaches went on to invest. 33.4% said they were solicited but did not invest, meaning roughly one in three avoided harm through calm judgment. On the other hand, 14.1% said they did invest, underscoring the sophistication of these scams. The most common loss amount was between 100,000 and 500,000 yen, accounting for 24.7% of cases. This was followed by losses of 10,000 to 100,000 yen at 22.8%, and losses of 500,000 to 1 million yen at 15.8%. Another 7.0% reported losses of 1 million yen or more, a level that could seriously affect an individual’s life. By age group, people in their 20s had an encounter rate of 49.8%, close to half, and the highest actual victimization rate at 21.6%. People in their 30s also showed a high victimization rate of 18.8%. In contrast, people in their 50s had an encounter rate of 15.9% and a victimization rate of 5.0%, while the rate dropped further to 3.5% among those in their 60s. The survey also notes that short-term traders had the highest victimization rate at 18.1%, and that 68.5% of victims were in their 20s or 30s, with men making up a larger share. The survey was conducted online on April 10, 2026, targeting men and women living in Japan who currently invest in or have previously invested in crypto assets. The number of valid responses was 746. Clabo states that the report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment solicitation or advice. Crypto asset investment carries significant risk, and investment decisions should be made at the individual’s own responsibility.