Question from a reader:
I made plans to meet someone I met on Twitter a year ago and sent them 5,000 yen via PayPay. However, on the day of our meeting, I was blocked by the other person, and I couldn’t contact them anymore. There was no communication for a year, but recently, I received a long apology from them along
with a refund of the amount I sent. Their Twitter and Instagram accounts have been deleted, and my account is frozen, but I can confirm that their PayPay account is unblocked. In this case, can I file a disclosure request or a report of damage? Would the police take me seriously if I went to them? Also, if I want to freeze the other person’s PayPay account, should I report it to PayPay?

Issues with Someone Met on Twitter: A Legal Perspective

Introduction

Hello everyone. Today, I would like to address a somewhat complicated issue. This is a story about a promise made with someone met on Twitter that was broken, resulting in being blocked. This is actually a surprisingly common problem. Especially with the rise of social media, while it has become easier to communicate, such issues have also increased. Now, let’s delve deeper into this case.

Clarifying the Situation

First, let’s clarify the situation. You made plans to meet someone you met on Twitter a year ago and sent them 5,000 yen via PayPay. However, on the day of the meeting, you were blocked by the other person and could no longer contact them. This alone is an unsettling situation, but despite a year of silence, you recently received an apology and a refund from them. In this case, the initial feelings of anxiety and anger, followed by confusion, are palpable. If I were in your position, I would also be unsure of what to do.

Legal Considerations

Now, let’s consider this issue from a legal perspective. First, regarding the 5,000 yen you sent to the other person, this can be viewed as part of a contract. You can argue that you suffered damages due to the other person not keeping their promise. However, in the legal world, “promise” and “contract” are distinctly different concepts. The act of being blocked may not constitute direct damage to you. Nevertheless, it is certainly possible that the amount you paid could be returned.

Regarding Disclosure Requests

Next, let’s talk about disclosure requests. Since the Twitter and Instagram accounts have been deleted, it is difficult to identify the other person through these platforms. Twitter and Instagram do not easily disclose user information due to privacy concerns. However, if you can confirm the other person’s PayPay account, it might be worth contacting PayPay’s administration. That said, to make a disclosure request, you will need some level of evidence or reasoning. You must clearly explain the damages you suffered and why that information is necessary. In reality, it might be wiser to consult PayPay first rather than going directly to the police.

Filing a Damage Report

Next, regarding filing a damage report, this also requires careful consideration. The police handle many cases and may not take your situation seriously. Particularly in this case, while there was a monetary transaction, it does not involve direct fraud, making it uncertain whether a damage report would be accepted. However, if the other person fails to refund you and continues to avoid contact, it is important to utilize the police consultation services. The police will thoroughly investigate your case and provide appropriate advice.

How to Report to PayPay

Next, let’s discuss the procedure for freezing the other person’s PayPay account. PayPay prioritizes user safety and has a reporting feature. Specifically, you can report “fraudulent use” or “violation of terms of service” within the PayPay app. When reporting, it is crucial to clearly state the other person’s account name, the details of the transaction, and the reasons for your report. This will help PayPay understand the situation better and increase the likelihood of a prompt response.

Conclusion and Future Measures

Finally, let’s consider future measures as a summary. In this case, the interaction on social media escalated into a problem, but this can happen to anyone. It is essential to be particularly cautious when engaging in monetary transactions with someone you meet for the first time. If you continue to interact on social media in the future, it is important to seek ways to verify the other person’s reliability and to avoid monetary transactions. Additionally, when trouble arises, it is crucial to respond calmly. Letting emotions take over can lead to delays in resolution. Through this blog, I hope to alleviate some of your concerns. I sincerely wish that your future social media experiences will be safer and more enjoyable. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask anytime!