June 29, 2026, (Inside AI) — Osaka Prefectural Police have appointed an AI-generated virtual chief named AIko to lead public awareness campaigns against a fraud epidemic that siphoned over US$2 billion from victims in Japan last year. The avatar, designed to resonate with younger demographics, delivers crime prevention advice through social media videos, marking a strategic pivot as nearly half of Osaka’s fraud victims are now under 65.
AIko’s debut video, “Chief AIko’s Crime Prevention Class,” walks viewers through real scam exchanges, issuing blunt warnings. “No police officers show their IDs and arrest warrants online,” she states, directly countering a common ruse used by fraudsters.
The character was created by Toshinori Hirano, a visiting professor at the Kagawa University Cyber Security Centre and former advisor to Osaka police. Hirano told Kyodo News he aimed to “heighten crime prevention awareness by utilising technology.” The initiative targets platforms where younger adults already spend time, as traditional campaigns have failed to curb soaring losses.
Japan’s National Police Agency reported that social media–based investment fraud and romance scams cost victims a record ¥300 billion (US$2 billion) in 2025, according to NHK. In Osaka prefecture alone, preliminary police data cited by Kyodo shows that individuals under 65 accounted for close to half of all victims last year, shattering the stereotype that only the elderly are vulnerable.
AIko’s scripted scenarios expose tactics like fake arrest warrants and impersonation of officials. The avatar’s plain, direct language contrasts with bureaucratic messaging, aiming to cut through digital noise. Yet, some cybersecurity researchers question whether a scripted avatar can adapt to rapidly evolving scam techniques, or if it risks becoming outdated without continuous retraining.
Japan’s move mirrors a global trend of police forces experimenting with AI-generated spokespersons, though few have granted such a prominent title. The Osaka police have not disclosed the cost of developing AIko, but the project underscores a growing reliance on synthetic media for public safety communication. Whether a virtual chief can truly rebuild trust and change behavior remains an open question as fraudsters themselves adopt AI tools to scale their schemes.
