A company president in Oita Prefecture stopped a fraudster from stealing 30 million yen [1] by identifying a sophisticated impersonation scheme.
This incident highlights a growing trend of "fake president scams" that exploit internal corporate payment flows to deceive employees into transferring funds.
The scammer posed as the company's representative and targeted an accounting staff member. The fraudster instructed the employee to create a LINE group and send a QR code to facilitate the transaction [1]. Once the communication channel was established, the impersonator ordered a transfer of 30 million yen [1].
The actual president discovered the plot before the funds were moved. He expressed shock at how the scammer managed to initiate the contact. "The fact that a message goes directly [to the employee] is a bit scary, or rather, surprising," he said [1].
The president warned that such attacks are not isolated incidents. "It is not someone else's problem. I realized again that it could happen anywhere," he said [1].
Law enforcement officials noted that the methods used by scammers are becoming increasingly diverse. A police spokesperson urged employees not to make financial decisions in isolation. "Since the methods are diverse, I want people to consult with those around them rather than judging on their own," the spokesperson said [1].
Data suggests these attacks are widespread. One report indicates that 25% of office workers have experienced a fake president scam [2]. While some reports suggest the use of advanced AI to generate messages, this specific case involved the strategic use of social media groups and QR codes to bypass traditional verification [1].
“"It is not someone else's problem. I realized again that it could happen anywhere,"”
The shift toward using encrypted messaging apps like LINE and QR codes allows scammers to bypass corporate email filters and official communication logs. By creating a private environment between the fraudster and a subordinate, the attacker isolates the victim from the company's usual checks and balances, making social engineering more effective.
