The Kagoshima Prefectural Police issued a stern warning on March 18, 2025, about a surge in fraudulent phone calls impersonating police officers across Japan, including within the prefecture. This alarming trend has raised concerns among local authorities as victims have been targeted by calls showing numbers that closely resemble official police telephone numbers, specifically those ending in '110'. Notably, a recent incident involved calls from the legitimate representative number of the Metropolitan Police Department, 03-3581-4311, prompting the police to urge citizens to remain vigilant.
As this situation unfolds, the National Police Agency has reported a dramatic increase in cases involving spoofed calls that use real police station numbers, particularly highlighting the Shinjuku Police Station’s number. From January 2024 to March 2025, 848 cases of fraudulent calls were documented nationwide, leading to over 10 billion yen in damages. Shockingly, a staggering 788 of these incidents, accounting for roughly 93%, were linked directly to the Shinjuku Police Station’s number, with similar calls confirmed in over 31 prefectures.
In response to these fraudulent activities, authorities have laid bare the tactics employed by scammers. The crooks typically utilize applications that allow them to spoof the phone number displayed to victims, creating the illusion that they are calling from legitimate police entities. To manipulate victims, they often employ intimidating phrases, stating things like, 'You are under investigation,' or 'A fraudulent account has been created in your name.' Scammers frequently mislead individuals into providing sensitive information or funds by threatening immediate account freezes.
In Toyama Prefecture, a worrying pattern emerged with four confirmed cases of suspicious calls originating from numbers identical to actual police station representatives documented since the beginning of March 2025. Among these incidents was a call received by a resident in Imizu City, where the caller, posing as a police officer, asserted that their bank account was involved in criminal activity. This particular individual suspected fraud and reported to law enforcement, preventing potential losses from occurring.
Furthermore, one of the schemes involved the caller switching to communication via LINE, where they displayed what appeared to be a police badge during a video call. These methods underscore the necessity for individuals to be cautious, as there have been rising inquiries regarding legitimate calls from police numbers, further enhancing fear and confusion among the public.
The police strongly advocate that people do not entirely trust the phone numbers presented on caller IDs. Instead, they advise verifying the caller’s details, including their name, department, and extension, before hanging up and consulting with family members or contacting police direct. Authorities emphasize the importance of this precautionary measure given the sophistication of these scams.
Despite the ongoing threats, there have been reports in Toyama of calls that have not yet led to confirmed damages, signaling a potential opportunity for community education to help prevent future incidents. In light of the growing number of impersonation attempts, police departments nationwide are committed to raising awareness against these fraudulent tactics.
In a joint effort with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and telecommunications companies, police are exploring strategies to prevent the display of spoofed numbers on caller ID systems. As these types of fraud escalate, the collaboration between these entities aims to create security measures that protect citizens from such scams.
The rise of such fraudulent phone calls serves as a timely reminder of the critical need for vigilance and skepticism when communicating via phone. As crimes evolve, so must the tactics deployed to safeguard personal information and financial assets. The culmination of these incidents highlights not just a growing trend, but a pressing call to action for law enforcement agencies and community members alike.
Ultimately, the responsibility remains on both the police to enforce the law and the general public to remain informed and cautious. The warning from the Kagoshima Prefectural Police to validate any communication purportedly from law enforcement further stresses the necessity of due diligence in a digital age where the threat of fraud is ever-present.
