Fake free-stay vouchers for the major business hotel chain Toyoko Inn are circulating on resale apps, authorities warn.
A 49-year-old man in Matsuyama bought two “free stay” cards on Mercari in July for ¥15,000, only to receive clearly counterfeit items. The plastic cards featured poorly translated Japanese like “デラッタスシングルル” instead of “Deluxe Single,” and blurry logos and barcodes. Having used real Toyoko Inn vouchers before, the man immediately recognized the fakes.
Toyoko Inn confirmed it has seen a surge in counterfeit vouchers since May and has requested resale platforms like Mercari to stop the listings. While the fake vouchers have been identified before any use, the company warns that resale is prohibited and cautions users against buying them.
The Matsuyama buyer received a full refund after reporting the case to Mercari, but consumer groups stress that in peer-to-peer resale platforms, buyers should carefully inspect items before completing evaluations, as support is limited once a transaction is confirmed.
The company has also added warnings on its website and continues to push for stricter enforcement to prevent further circulation of counterfeit vouchers.
by MagazineKey4532