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6 clusters · 14 sources · 27 days · First seen · Last updated

Japan police anti‑scam efforts

Overview

Japanese police have continued to expand fraud‑prevention activities across the country. In late July 2026, Shizuoka Prefectural Police staged a training drill with employees of Shizuoka Gas, simulating a “fake police” phone scam and teaching participants how to recognise and report the tactic. The exercise also highlighted a recent incident in which a Saitama city councilor was targeted by the same type of call, underscoring the relevance of the threat to both corporate staff and public officials. The following day, the National Police Agency issued a broader public alert in the wake of the 2024 Kumamoto earthquake, warning that scammers were exploiting the disaster by reposting old damage photos, fabricating rescue requests, and distributing QR‑code links to fraudulent donation sites. Police urged residents to verify sources, use official channels, and report suspicious communications, emphasizing that misinformation can impede rescue and relief efforts. By mid-August 2026, authorities reported a rise in specific impersonation tactics in Kumamoto and Fukuoka prefectures. In Kumamoto, residents in Uki City reported calls from individuals claiming to be from the Kumamoto Prefectural Police Investigation Division 2, who demanded victims travel to distant locations, such as Aichi Prefecture, for questioning. In Fukuoka, the Iizuka Police Station noted a surge in automated calls threatening telecommunications suspension, as well as calls from “+1” numbers where individuals impersonate officers to falsely accuse residents of money laundering or fraud conspiracy. By late August 2026, the National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan and local officials issued further warnings regarding scams targeting Kumamoto earthquake relief. These include door-to-door visits and social media “task scams,” where hijacked business accounts promise cash-back profits for purchasing products to support disaster areas. Scammers often use small initial payouts to build trust before soliciting larger transfers.

Entities

National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan · Kumamoto earthquake · Hokkaido Prefectural Police · Hikawa Town · Shizuoka Gas Co., Ltd.

Timeline

  1. 24 days ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources
    Amakusa Police warn of SNS-based investment fraud

    Amakusa Police have warned of SNS investment scams where victims are lured by social media ads into fraudulent cryptocurrency exchanges and fake profit sites.

  2. 25 days ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources
    Japan authorities warn of scams targeting disaster relief efforts

    Japanese authorities are warning against scams targeting disaster victims, including SNS-based donation fraud and predatory repair services impersonating officials or businesses.

  3. 29 days ago

    [CRIME] 3 sources
    Japan authorities warn of scams targeting Kumamoto Earthquake relief efforts

    Japanese authorities are warning of scams exploiting Kumamoto Earthquake relief efforts, ranging from fraudulent door-to-door solicitations to sophisticated social media schemes promising fake profits.

  4. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources
    Japan police issue warnings over rising impersonation scams

    Police in Kumamoto and Fukuoka are warning residents of rising scams involving callers impersonating law enforcement and telecommunications companies to steal personal information.

  5. about 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 3 sources
    Police warn of scams and misinformation after Kumamoto earthquake

    After the July 28 Kumamoto earthquake, Japan's police warned of scams using fake disaster images, bogus rescue posts, and fraudulent donation QR codes, urging verification and caution.

  6. about 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 7 sources
    Shizuoka Police Train Gas Company Staff on Fake Police Phone Scam

    Shizuoka police staged a fake‑police scam drill for Shizuoka Gas staff, while Saitama councilor Eriko Sato thwarted two similar scam calls, underscoring a rise in impersonation fraud in Japan.

Sources

allkumamoto.com · blocktempo.com · fnn-news.com · fnn.jp · j-cast.com · jugem.jp · nikkankeisatsu.co.jp · nishinippon.co.jp · otakei.otakuma.net · sasatto.jp · thehubnews.net · tokyo-sports.co.jp · toonippo.co.jp · yoshi-osada.hatenablog.com

This summary has been updated 3 times: see revision history