Key Facts
• A 25-year-old unemployed man from Ueda City, Nagano, was arrested for fraud.
• He allegedly defrauded a woman in her 30s from Kochi City of ¥3,535,000.
• The fraud occurred between June 20, 2023, and May 1, 2024.
• The victim was introduced to the suspect via a group chat on social media.
• The suspect promised high returns through investments in FX, cryptocurrency, and NISA.
• The victim transferred money 17 times over a year to the suspect’s bank account.
• After May 1, 2024, the victim requested to withdraw profits but received no response.
• The victim reported the case to the police after losing contact with the suspect.
• Police identified the suspect through the bank account used for the transactions.
• The suspect denies the charges, claiming he did not deceive the victim.
• No other victims from the group chat have reported similar incidents.
• Police are investigating whether the suspect acted alone and how the money was used.
Summary
A 25-year-old man from Nagano was arrested for allegedly defrauding a Kochi woman of over ¥3.5 million under the guise of investment opportunities. The victim, introduced to the suspect via a social media group chat, was persuaded to invest in FX, cryptocurrency, and NISA with promises of doubling her money within six months. Over a year, she transferred funds 17 times to the suspect’s account. When she attempted to withdraw profits in May 2024, the suspect ceased communication, prompting her to report the case to the police. Authorities identified the suspect through his bank account. While the suspect denies the allegations, police are investigating his potential accomplices and the use of the stolen funds. No additional victims have come forward.
