Helpline for Yakuza victims fears it leaked their personal info

A local Japanese government agency dedicated to preventing organized crime has apologized after experiencing an incident it fears may have led to a leak of personal information describing 2,500 people who reached out to it for consultation.

The Kumamoto Prefecture Violence Prevention Movement Promotion Center offers counselling services for those being extorted by gangsters, those who want to leave organized crime groups, or even parents whose children find themselves in a relationship with a Yakuza member.

Services are promised to be free and confidential.

Confidentiality is crucial, as Japan's organized crime groups are no more forgiving than their counterparts elsewhere. Members are known to observe a rigid hierarchy and be exceedingly loyal – some even self-mutilating to demonstrate their commitment.

Leaving the Yakuza is known to be extremely difficult, as is reintegration into society. While the ranks of gangs have thinned considerably in recent decades – from around 180,000 in the 1960s to around 10,000 today [PDF] – they remain active.

On Thursday the Center placed a notice on its website admitting a potential disaster: it had been phished.

A staff member was using his work computer when he received a popup warning him his computer had been disabled and to call a number for support. He did so, followed the instructions, and unintentionally gave criminals remote access. He cut off the internet and turned off his computer once he had realized his error.

But by then it may have been too late. It is unknown if the roughly 2,500 addresses, names, and phone numbers contained on the computer were successfully accessed by the cyber attackers.

In the meantime, the Center is contacting those who may have been affected.

The Center asked that all residents of the prefecture immediately report anyone who contacts them claiming to be from the organization. It's also advised citizens not to open any email from unfamiliar sources or respond to any requests. ®