USA: Phone Scams Impersonating Bank Employees and Police Officers

There have been cases of fraud where scammers pose as bank employees or police officers. Please be extra cautious to avoid becoming a victim.

Recently, in the jurisdiction of this consulate, there have been fraud cases in which scammers impersonated bank or police officers, suggesting that bank accounts would be frozen or that arrests would be made, in order to fraudulently obtain personal information or money from Japanese nationals. Similar fraud cases have also been reported at other U.S. consulates.
Common tactics used by scammers include disguising their phone number to appear as if it is from a legitimate bank or police department, and threatening victims with claims such as weapon purchases made under their name using their credit card, leading to the suspension of the credit card, freezing of bank accounts, or possible arrest. Scammers often work in teams, spending time extracting information from victims. They may also lure victims into video calls where individuals impersonating police officers or prosecutors show fake police IDs or badges to resolve the issue.
If you receive a suspicious phone call, do not follow the instructions of the caller. Instead, hang up and confirm the situation with family, friends, or relevant authorities, such as the police, to ensure you avoid becoming a victim. Always exercise caution and remain vigilant.