TOKYO - The sight of Punch, a baby monkey often seen clutching an orangutan plush toy as a substitute mother, has captured widespread attention, but the animal’s growing popularity has also led to the emergence of fraudulent social media accounts soliciting donations in his name.
On March 6th, many visitors flocked to Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Chiba Prefecture to see Punch, who has become a beloved attraction.
Fans expressed their affection for the young monkey, with one visitor saying, "I arrived in Japan at 8 a.m. this morning and came straight here to see Punch." Another remarked, "Even when he clings to someone's leg and you try to pull him away, it's incredibly cute." Others commented, "I'm going to see Punch!" and "I've been watching videos of him at home, so I want to see the real Punch at least once. What if I end up wanting to take him home?" Some added that despite the many challenges in the world today, seeing Punch brings comfort and energy to many people.
Shortly after birth, Punch’s mother abandoned him, and he has since been raised by zoo caretakers.
However, taking advantage of his story, individuals on social media have begun soliciting donations under the false claim that the funds are intended to support Punch.
One fake account posing as Punch’s caretaker states in its profile, "I am a devoted caretaker looking after the baby monkey Punch."
The account has amassed more than 80,000 followers and appears to have posted videos of Punch affectionately interacting with caretakers, footage believed to have been used without permission.
When users click a link placed in the profile of the account claiming to belong to a caretaker, they are directed to a website requesting donations.
The link leads to a payment service platform hosting a page titled "Donate to HomeforPuncn (A New 'Home' for Punch)."
The description on the page contains awkward Japanese phrasing, stating that Punch would be moved "from the zoo environment to the caretaker’s family home, into a carefully prepared and legally compliant private space."
Officials at the zoo say no such fundraising effort exists.
Takashi Yasunaga, head of the Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Gardens division, said that individual caretakers do not make any official announcements about the zoo and urged the public to be cautious.
"Caretakers do not disseminate any official information about the zoo individually," Yasunaga said. "Please be very careful not to donate or fall victim to scams."
Fans have voiced anger over the scheme, saying, "They are just taking money for their own selfish purposes by pretending Punch is in trouble." Another commented, "It's pathetic that someone would do something so underhanded. It's sad." Others added that people could easily be deceived because even the caretakers themselves have fans.
Investigations by the program found that multiple fake accounts impersonating Punch’s caretakers exist online.
The program attempted to contact a person believed to be managing one of the accounts, but no response has been received so far.
Experts warn that the large number of followers on such accounts can make them appear legitimate.
IT journalist Yo Mikami noted that anyone considering donating should first confirm the information through the zoo’s official website.
"If you see a fundraising campaign, search for the zoo's name yourself and verify it on the official website," Mikami said. "If it isn't listed there, it is entirely a scam and should not be trusted."
He also warned that because the donations are processed through overseas payment services commonly used in English-speaking countries, money sent through those platforms is unlikely to be recovered once transferred.
Source: FNN
