OSAKA, June 28 — A virtual AI police chief has begun issuing warnings in Osaka Prefecture, western Japan, as local authorities confront a surge in imposter scams that are increasingly targeting victims across a wide age range. The digital officer, named “AIko,” made her debut in a video released in late May on the prefectural police’s YouTube channel. Her name combines “AI” with “ko,” a common Japanese suffix attached to female names, and she has the voice and appearance of a young woman.
The initiative comes after police data showed that people aged 64 or younger accounted for nearly half of the scam victims in the prefecture during 2025, according to preliminary figures released by the police. “No police officers show their IDs and arrest warrants online,” AIko stated in the video, which is titled “Chief AIko’s crime prevention class.” The clip shows actual examples of scam tactics and online exchanges between scammers and victims.
The police hope the virtual chief will raise public awareness of such fraud, especially among younger generations. Imposter scams in Osaka have been spreading beyond the traditionally targeted elderly population. Victims have been swindled out of money by scammers posing as police officers, investment-promoting celebrities, or romantic partners, according to the police.
The shift in demographics is notable: police data indicates that people in their 20s to 60s are now frequently among the victims. The prefectural police are deploying AIko as a digital outreach tool, leveraging the YouTube platform to reach demographics that may not respond to traditional public service announcements.
The video format, showing real scam tactics and exchanges, is designed to make the warnings concrete and relatable. Police have not stated whether AIko will appear in other formats or campaigns beyond the initial YouTube video series. Industry observers note that the use of a virtual character with a youthful appearance and voice represents a targeted strategy to engage younger audiences who may be more susceptible to sophisticated online scams.
The approach mirrors broader trends in Japan, where virtual influencers and AI-generated personalities are increasingly used for public messaging. Looking ahead, the effectiveness of AIko’s campaign will likely be measured by shifts in scam victim statistics in Osaka Prefecture. The police have not announced a specific timeline for further video releases, but the debut clip suggests an ongoing commitment to using digital tools in fraud prevention.
As scammers continue to adapt their tactics, authorities are racing to keep public awareness campaigns equally nimble.
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