Key Facts
• Two men in their 30s from Matsue City were victims of SNS-based scams.
• Victim 1 met “Carla” in February 2025 via a chat app, leading to a $940,000 crypto loss.
• “Carla” promised profits through AI-managed online shop investments.
• Victim 2 met “Kumiko” on a dating app, losing $1.64 million in crypto by June 2025.
• “Kumiko” claimed her uncle’s team investment was always successful.
• Both scams initially showed small profits to gain victims’ trust.
• Police warn against trusting strangers met online or high-return investment offers.
Summary
Two men in Matsue City were defrauded through SNS-based scams involving investment and romance. One victim, lured by “Carla,” lost $940,000 in cryptocurrency after being promised profits from an AI-managed online shop. The other, deceived by “Kumiko” on a dating app, lost $1.64 million in cryptocurrency after being convinced of a foolproof team investment. Both scams initially showed small returns to build trust. Police urge caution against trusting online strangers or high-return investment schemes.
