This is a notice from the Immigration Services Agency.
Beware of suspicious calls claiming to be from the Immigration Agency!
We have received numerous enquiries regarding suspicious calls claiming to be from the Immigration Agency.
The Immigration Agency does not make calls using an automated voice system. If you receive a suspicious call, hang up immediately and do not respond.
◆Please be careful of suspicious phone calls and emails claiming to be from immigration authorities. (Immigration Services Agency)
https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/
<Examples of Consultations Received to Date>
・A person claiming to be an Immigration Bureau official stated, “You traveled abroad between [Month] [Day] and [Month] [Day], and there is a possibility that [Name]’s passport is being used fraudulently,” and asked for personal information such as date of birth and address.
・An automated voice message played, stating, “We are holding important documents,” “Documents are missing,” or “The deadline is approaching,” and instructed to press a number.
・A person was told that a foreign acquaintance was being detained at the airport immigration and was asked to transfer money to cover an “entry fee.”
・A person was told that a foreign acquaintance had been denied entry at the airport and was being held at an immigration detention center, and was asked to transfer money for “bail.”
・A person received a call in Chinese or broken Japanese stating, “Your passport, visa, and residence card have been subject to unauthorized use or forgery or other acts in Shanghai, so you cannot enter or leave the country; please come to the Immigration Office with your passport, bankbook, and proof of identity.”
・A person claiming to be an immigration officer or a Chinese police officer contacted me in Japanese (switching to Chinese during the call) and stated, “An irregularity has been found in your passport, so it has been decided to take you into custody and transport you,” and demanded that I pay a bail bond.
・A Chinese-language announcement stated, “There is an irregularity with your Residence Card, so it will be revoked. Please contact the reception center immediately. To inquire about the reason for the revocation, please press ○.”
