Fraud group using police impersonation arrested in Japan

Japanese authorities have arrested individuals linked to a specialized fraud group operating from Cambodia that targeted victims through impersonation.

In one incident, an 18-year-old man from Tokyo was re-arrested for allegedly defrauding an elderly woman in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, of 5.65 million yen. The suspect and an accomplice reportedly posed as police officers and post office officials, claiming the victim was involved in a crime to coerce her into leaving cash at her doorstep.

Separately, 53-year-old Kenji Otsuka was arrested for his alleged role as a caller for a Cambodia-based syndicate. He is accused of defrauding a woman in Tokyo of 7 million yen by posing as a police officer and using video calls to show a fake arrest warrant, claiming she was involved in money laundering. Investigators believe this group has defrauded approximately 19 people of a total of 200 million yen. Otsuka had previously returned to Japan after avoiding detention during a crackdown on the group in Cambodia last year.