Yokote City Woman Defrauded of ¥14.1 million in Online Romance Scam

Police in Akita Prefecture announced that a woman in her 40s from Yokote City fell victim to an online romance fraud. She met the perpetrator through the social‑media app “Gravity” and later communicated via LINE, where the scammer encouraged her to purchase medical equipment and transfer funds. Over the course of the scheme she transferred electronic‑money, cryptocurrency and cash totaling approximately ¥14.1 million (about ¥14,108,800). The Yokote police disclosed the case on July 23, highlighting the growing prevalence of SNS‑based romance scams in the region.

The incident follows other reported scams in Akita, including a 20‑year‑old man defrauded of ¥2.6 million and several other victims losing amounts ranging from ¥1.5 million to ¥1.2 million.