Tokyo police have arrested a 31-year-old Chinese national on suspicion of operating an unauthorized mobile phone base station in Ginza, allegedly disrupting communications in one of the capital’s busiest shopping districts.
The suspect was arrested on November 7 after allegedly operating radio equipment installed in a vehicle parked on a Ginza street. Police announced the arrest on November 9, according to Japanese media reports.
Investigators allege that the equipment functioned as a “fake base station,” impersonating legitimate mobile network infrastructure and transmitting unauthorized radio signals. The suspect has denied the allegation, according to reporting by Yomiuri Shimbun.
Equipment Allegedly Operated From a Parked Vehicle
According to Kyodo News, police initially arrested the man on suspicion of operating an unlicensed radio station. On November 9, they referred the case to prosecutors with an additional allegation of interfering with important radio communications, also under Japan’s Radio Act.
The alleged operation took place inside a passenger vehicle parked in Tokyo’s Chuo Ward, where Ginza is located. Investigators suspect the transmissions interfered with nearby mobile phone communications.
What Is a Fake Base Station?
A fake base station is radio equipment designed to imitate a legitimate mobile phone tower. Depending on the equipment and the network technology involved, it can lure nearby phones into attempting to connect to an unauthorized system.
Such devices can be used to disrupt service or deliver fraudulent text messages. TBS reported that the equipment in the Ginza case allegedly exploited how phones select nearby base stations, interfering with legitimate signals and drawing devices toward the unauthorized transmission.
A fake base station should not be confused with a fake Wi-Fi hotspot: it targets cellular connections rather than a phone’s Wi-Fi connection.
Reports Point to Widespread Disruption
TBS reported that more than 10,000 smartphones may have experienced loss of service or related disruption during a period of less than two hours. That figure remains a reported estimate rather than a final, independently established count.
The reported scale illustrates how unauthorized radio transmissions in a crowded urban area can affect large numbers of people within a short period.
However, a phone losing service does not, by itself, establish that its messages, passwords or other personal information have been stolen.
Concerns Over Fraudulent Messages
The case also draws attention to the potential use of fake base stations in phishing schemes. TBS described how such equipment can be used to send messages directing recipients toward fraudulent websites. That capability alone does not establish that every affected phone received a scam message or that any recipient suffered a financial loss.
Mobile users should treat unexpected payment demands and account warnings cautiously. Anyone receiving a suspicious text should verify the claim through the organisation’s official app or website before opening links or entering personal information.
The allegations against the suspect remain subject to legal proceedings. An arrest and referral to prosecutors do not establish guilt.
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