Key Facts
• On June 24, a fraud scheme began with a phone reservation at a restaurant.
• A man named “Shirakawa” booked a $105 per person course for six people.
• He requested Château Haut-Brion 1989 wine, priced at over $20,000 per bottle.
• The restaurant owner paid $96,000 upfront to a specified account for four bottles.
• Neither the wine nor the man appeared at the scheduled dinner on June 25.
• Similar scams have been reported nationwide, using names like “Sato” and “Koga.”
• Messages on LINE were deleted, and aliases were changed to obscure evidence.
• Victims have filed police reports, and authorities are investigating the incidents.
• Police warn restaurants to be cautious of high-value wine requests and LINE communication.
Summary
A restaurant in Toyama, Japan, fell victim to a sophisticated fraud scheme involving a fake reservation for a doctor’s dinner. The scammer, using the alias “Shirakawa,” requested a $96,000 prepayment for four bottles of Château Haut-Brion 1989 wine. Despite the restaurant owner’s compliance, neither the wine nor the scammer appeared. Similar cases have surfaced across Japan, with perpetrators using various aliases and deleting digital communication to evade detection. Police are urging vigilance and investigating these deceitful acts that exploit the goodwill of restaurant owners.
