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CarolinaBen · Joined: 22 Nov 2010 Posts: 78

I just wanted to write and to share my own experience. I was out with some friends in Roppongi for a night of drinking on Saturday night. At about 4am, I was approached by a girl and we seemed to be hitting it off. She kept begging me to go to a different bar with her, and I finally gave it and went. When I got to the bar with her, I can't remember much else except for a black man demanding money from me. When I woke up, all of my money in my wallet was gone. (23,000yen) Also, when I returned home and checked my bank account, I soon found out that all of my money had been taken. The police say there is little they can do because of lack of evidence.

I just wanted to take some time to warn others. Don't go drinking in Roppongi alone, and if you are in a group, stick with your group.

dove · Joined: 01 Oct 2003 Posts: 271 Location: USA/Japan

I am so sorry about that. But how did they get money out of your bank account? Did they get hold of your PIN?

Inflames · Joined: 02 Apr 2006 Posts: 486

Sudz · Joined: 09 Aug 2004 Posts: 438

Sorry to hear.

Definitely a story more common to south-east Asia (though I'm also wondering how they got access to your bank account right off the bat?)

I knew someone who was invited to a bar by a Nigerian swindler in Shinjuku (who should have known better!), only to pay a ridiculous fee (around 50000 Yen I believe!) after only having a few drinks. They justified the price by saying 'pretty lady pour drink for you'.

Anyways after getting into a verbal argument, some Yakuza came out of the back room (sounds like out of a movie), and eventually 'dragged him' (or perhaps more accurately escorted him) to an ATM machine and forced him to take an advance on his credit card.

This should be common sense, but don't accept drink offers from random people in Rompongi/Shinjuku, especially Nigerians. I'm NOT bashing Nigerians at all, but the sample that you're exposed to in Roppongi/Shinjuku generally aren't the creme of the crop!

Your story is very understandable though. It can be hard to tell at times who is after you. So you woke up at some point? Do you think you knocked out, or 'slipped something'? I'm assuming the latter.

rxk22 · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 1629

cat mother · Joined: 22 Sep 2009 Posts: 62

I remember reading similar warnings a couple of years ago. Some embassies were even warning their citizens not to go partying in Roppongi alone and never ever accept any drink offers from anyone.

BlackPapermoon · Joined: 12 Feb 2011 Posts: 39

..wow, so sorry that happened to you =/

CarolinaBen · Joined: 22 Nov 2010 Posts: 78

Believe me...........I have learned my lesson 100 fold

rich45 · Joined: 26 Jan 2006 Posts: 127

Sorry to hear about this. I've only ever been on a night out in Roppongi once...and never again.

I can also echo Sudz's sentiments about Shinjuku, as a friend of mine was trapped in exactly the same way in Kabukicho. It turned out to be a very expensive night (30 or 40,000 yen for a few drinks).

It sucks now but having been scammed myself in China when I was young and naive, it is a great lesson in becoming street smart and as you have said, it surely won't happen to you again.

rxk22 · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 1629

Wonder how much of this is part of the vicious cycle? They scam people, so less people come, so their businesses do poorly. So they scam more people, which leads to lesspeople coming, and their businesses doing even more worse?

simonenglish · Joined: 09 Aug 2011 Posts: 38

I spent tons of time in Roppongi because I learned salsa, and I was dancing, and going to parties all the time. Never had a problem like this, and I almost always went out alone..

I didn't drink though, and kept away from trouble. I heard a few stories similar to the one on this thread, but in practice in the main bars as long as you keep away from girls trying to drag you to 'another bar' you will be fine.

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Sudz · Joined: 09 Aug 2004 Posts: 438

These instances certainly do seem more common than I'd originally thought after reading these posts.

I wont pretend like I know the area well, but I did visit the area twice when I was in Japan a few years back. The first night, I ended up at some of the more upscale bars (I asked the taxi driver to take me to 'Roppongi', perhaps he took me to the outskirts or something), and originally had a fairly good impression of it. The second visit, I wound up in an area which felt more like Bangkok (a place which I'm mostly fond of). However, the place seemed overrun by Nigerian hustlers, and I almost saw a couple of fights break out (between tourists and these pricks).

I even had one guy tell me during a second 'encounter' "oh you said before that you don't go out late, why I see you again now? You lie to me!" (as if I owe him something for wanting to scam me). Instead of telling him to go &*# himself, I simply nodded my head passively, and kept walking. Probably the right choice!

I'm sure they're using GHB (more romantically known as 'the date rape drug') to knock out their victims.

Mr_Monkey · Joined: 11 Mar 2009 Posts: 661 Location: Kyuuuuuushuuuuuuu

rxk22 · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 1629

Dang mr. Monkey, that is pretty bad. Was that bar run by Nigerians by any chance?

I vote with my wallet, and I never give my business to any Roppongi bars, nor any that are run by Nigerians.

BTW, drugging people is just so dangerous. You can seriously harm someone. Or, you the victim remembers the bar, can set themselves up for revenge. They are lucky no one comes back and makes trouble. As that can be dangerous, and bad for business.