USA: Alert on Phone Scams Impersonating Customs Officers and Police Officers

Key Points:

• Reports of phone scams involving impersonation of Japanese customs officials, police officers, or consulate staff persist.
• Calls are conducted in Japanese and aim to extract personal information such as credit card or bank account details.
• If you receive calls demanding money or personal information related to unfamiliar matters, consider it highly likely to be a scam. Remain calm, and do not provide any financial or personal information, even if instructed to do so.

Common Scenarios Reported:

1. Impersonation of Japanese Government Officials
   • A caller identifying themselves as “Murakami” claims to be an official from the Tokyo Regional Taxation Bureau.
   • Similar scams involve the use of names of other Japanese government agencies, such as customs, police, embassies, or consulates.
2. Personal Information Verification
   • The scammer already knows your last name, phone number, and address and uses this information to gain your trust.
3. False Allegations and Threats
   • Claims may include accusations such as a drug shipment linked to your name or a mobile phone under your name being used in criminal activities.
   • The scammer may transfer the call to someone posing as a police officer, who will press for further details or request your presence at a police station.
   • Threats of deportation or arrest may be used to create urgency and fear.

Recommended Actions:

1. Remain Calm and Verify:
   • Hang up the call immediately. If you are concerned, directly contact the organization the caller claimed to represent to verify the information.
   • Japanese government agencies will never request credit card or bank account information over the phone.
2. Do Not Share Personal Information:
   • If unfamiliar allegations are presented or money is demanded, treat the call as a likely scam.
   • Avoid following instructions from the caller and never provide money (e.g., via bank transfer) or personal information (e.g., credit card numbers or Social Security numbers).
3. Report Suspicious Calls:
   • Even if the scammer uses a different agency name or story, trust your instincts if something feels off.
   • Contact your local Japanese consulate or embassy using the provided official contact numbers to report suspicious activity.

Stay vigilant and prioritize your safety by not engaging with such fraudulent callers.