Quo Card Co., a Tokyo-based issuer of prepaid cash cards, has been hit by a large number of forged cards that the company says have been used to purchase some 60 million yen in goods and services.
The forgeries have reportedly been used in about 3,000 participating stores.
Two types of prepaid cash card -- the Quo Card and the 10,000 yen Eneos Preca card -- have apparently been targeted for forgery.
According to Quo Card officials, the color tone of the forgeries is slightly dimmed and there is a misalignment in the color pattern. Also, the reverse side contains a different kanji than the Japanese word for "magnet."
Quo Card officials said the company has filed a forgery report with Tokyo police. The company is also urging Quo Card users to buy their cards from licensed outlets.
Prepaid cash cards usually carry a small cash premium, and many are sold at a discount at discount shops.
They are mostly used for small-sum payments at convenience stores, fast-food restaurants and gasoline stations.
According to Quo Card, 30,000 retail outlets accept the company's prepaid cards.