Croquette, Special Anti-Crime Support Officer, Conducts Public Awareness Campaign at Shibuya Police Station Special Fraud Prevention Event

The "Stop Ore-Ore Fraud 47 ~Family Bonds Operation~" project team (abbreviation: SOS47) has been working with police forces in all 47 prefectures nationwide since 2018 to prevent special fraud by clearly communicating knowledge and prevention measures regarding the rampant special fraud across the country.

This time, Croquette, Special Anti-Crime Support Officer for the National Police Agency, participated as a special guest in a special fraud prevention event hosted by the Metropolitan Police Department's Shibuya Police Station and conducted public awareness activities.

## Special Anti-Crime Support Officer Croquette: "Be especially careful of international calls with a '+' at the beginning of the phone number."

At the beginning of the event, Support Officer Croquette spoke about the recent situation of special fraud, stating, "The methods of special fraud are becoming more sophisticated year by year, and the amount of damage is also increasing." He continued, "Until now, special fraud often targeted the elderly, but recently, damage to younger generations through SNS is also increasing. Perpetrators often try to rush victims by saying things like, 'There's a suspicion that your account is being used for money laundering. The police are coming to arrest you now.'" He also explained these methods.

He further warned, "International calls are often used in special fraud. Please be especially careful of international calls with a '+' at the beginning of the phone number."

## Special Anti-Crime Support Officer Croquette: "For mobile phones, take measures with National Police Agency recommended apps and Digipolice."

Towards the end of the event, as a countermeasure against international calls received on mobile phones, he mentioned the Metropolitan Police Department's crime prevention app "Digipolice" international call blocking system and National Police Agency recommended apps. He said, "If you install Digipolice and set up international call rejection, you can block fraudulent calls from overseas. Also, there are similar blocking apps recommended by the National Police Agency for special fraud countermeasures, so please download and utilize these apps."

At the end of the event, he appealed to the attendees, saying, "There is a country called Japan that values human connections. But within that, there are many bad people who take advantage of Japan's kindness. Everyone, please be truly careful and be wary of fraud while doubting what should be doubted."

### [Event Outline]
- Event Name: Metropolitan Police Department Shibuya Police Station Special Fraud Prevention Event
- Date: Friday, April 24, Reiwa 8 (2026)
- Venue: Shibuya Station East Exit Underground Plaza
- Attendees: Croquette, Special Anti-Crime Support Officer, National Police Agency