New Variant of Police Impersonation Scam Involves Sending Handwritten Documents to Real Police Stations

A new variant of police impersonation scams has been identified in Japan, where fraudsters instruct victims to send handwritten documents to real police stations under the guise of handwriting verification. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department is alerting the public about this deceptive tactic.

How the Scam Works

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has identified a new variant of police impersonation fraud that follows this pattern:

The Scam Process

Initial Contact: A person claiming to be a postal worker calls saying "A package in your name containing 200 million yen in cash and a bank card has been found."
Victim Encouragement: The caller recommends filing a police report if the victim has no knowledge of such a package.
Police Pretense: A person claiming to be from a real police station then contacts the victim via LINE.
Document Request: Under the pretext of "handwriting verification to prove victim status," the victim is instructed to write hiragana, alphabetic characters, and numbers on paper and mail them to the real police station.
Personal Information Collection: The victim is asked to send photos of the handwritten document via LINE and provide bank account balance information.
Cryptocurrency Account Opening: Eventually, victims are directed to open cryptocurrency exchange accounts.

Warning Signs

Why This Scam Is Convincing

Uses real police station addresses to create authenticity
Multiple impersonators make it seem like an official investigation
Physical mail requirement makes it feel like a formal process
Handwritten documents create psychological commitment from victims

Red Flags

Police calling and requesting money or personal information
Requests to communicate via LINE or other SNS
Pressure to act quickly
Claims of involvement by multiple government agencies
Requests for handwritten documents to be mailed

Prevention Tips

Rule 1: Police Never Request Mailed Handwritten Documents

Legitimate police procedures never require citizens to mail handwritten documents. Any such request is an immediate sign of fraud.

Rule 2: Hang Up and Call Back Using an Official Number

This is the most effective defense. End the call and phone the police station directly using a number you independently verify.

Rule 3: Be Suspicious of Police Contact via SNS

Legitimate police never conduct official procedures through social media. SNS contact is a major red flag.

Rule 4: Never Share Financial Information

Police and government officials will never request:

Bank account balances
Cryptocurrency credentials
Credit card information

Rule 5: Seek Help When in Doubt

If suspicious, immediately contact:

Contact Resources

Police Advisory Hotline: #9110 (24 hours nationwide)
Fraud Hotline: Consumer Affairs Agency or local consumer affairs centers
Local police headquarters fraud prevention divisions

If You Become a Victim

If you recognize the scam:

Visit the nearest police station or call 110
Contact your bank to freeze accounts
Contact your cryptocurrency exchange to verify account security

Official Statement

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department explicitly states: "Police will never make such calls." The emergence of multiple confirmed cases demonstrates that fraud groups continue to evolve their tactics. The misuse of real police station information makes this particularly sophisticated and warrants heightened awareness.