“Police Investigation” Phone Scam

Recently, I received a phone call from someone claiming to be a police officer investigating a fraud group.

Everything about the call sounded convincing at first — the tone was professional, the explanation was logical, and the topic was something that could make anyone want to cooperate.​

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They even added practical-sounding advice, such as:

“You should have items delivered to a convenience store delivery box instead of your home. Criminals can obtain your information from shipping labels.”

At first, it seemed helpful — even protective.

But as the conversation continued, small inconsistencies began to appear.

⚠️ Red Flags That Appeared During the Call

1. Request for Personal Information
   They started asking about my personal details: purchasing habits, delivery addresses, and other private information that would have no real connection to a police investigation.
2. Non-Government Phone Number
   When I questioned why they were calling from a cell phone instead of an official police line, they had a ready excuse:

   “We’re still searching for members of the group, so we’re using mobile phones to make it easier for people to answer.”

3. Accent and Speech Patterns
   While their Japanese was good, there were moments when their accent sounded slightly off — not quite like a native speaker.
4. Change in Tone
   As soon as I started sounding skeptical, the caller’s polite tone slipped, and their attitude became sharper — until they suddenly hung up.

💡 What This Scam Is Trying to Do

This kind of scam is designed to gain your trust first — often by pretending to be a figure of authority such as a police officer, city official, or delivery company representative.

警察官・役所職員・宅配業者など「権威ある存在」を装い、相手に安心感を与えた上で、

Once trust is built, they move to gather personally identifiable information (PII) or financial details, which can later be used for identity theft or targeted fraud.​

🧭 How to Protect Yourself

1. Never share personal or delivery information over the phone.
   Real police officers will not ask for your private details or online shopping habits.
2. Always verify the caller.
    Hang up and call the official number of your local police department.
   Do not call back using the number that called you.
3. Be cautious of “authority” tactics.
   Scammers often impersonate trusted figures to make you cooperate. Stay calm and think critically.
4. Look for subtle signs.
   • Unusual caller ID (mobile number, private number)
   • Slight inconsistencies in speech or behavior​
   • Urgency or emotional pressure (“You must act now”)
5. Report suspicious calls.
   ou can contact the National Police Agency’s cybercrime consultation line (警察庁サイバー犯罪相談窓口) or your local police station (最寄りの警察署).

🛡️ Final Thoughts

Scams like this are becoming more sophisticated, mixing truth and fiction to build credibility.

Even experienced professionals can be momentarily deceived.

重要なのは、「すぐに信じない・必ず確認する」 という姿勢を持つことです。

The key is to remain calm, verify before you trust, and protect your information like you would protect your valuables.

At FFI Systems, we share these real-world stories to help individuals and organizations strengthen their cybersecurity awareness.

If you ever receive a suspicious message or call — or want to educate your team about social engineering tactics — we’re here to help.