Key Facts
• November 16, 2025: A 17-year-old Chinese national arrested for attempted fraud.
• Suspect is part of an international fraud group based in Poipet, Cambodia.
• April 10, 2025: Impersonated police and telecom staff to scam a 50-year-old woman.
• Fraud attempt involved false claims of illegal funds in victim’s account.
• Victim reported suspicious behavior to Gifu police, leading to case discovery.
• Suspect acted as a ‘caller’ in the fraud scheme.
• Arrest occurred at Narita Airport upon suspect’s return to Japan.
• Smartphone analysis revealed crime manuals and photos of fraud bases.
• Group linked to multiple fraud cases; investigation into full scope ongoing.
• Separate fraud group in Cambodia arrested in May 2025, unrelated to this case.
Summary
A 17-year-old Chinese national was arrested by Tochigi police on November 16, 2025, for attempted fraud. The suspect, a member of an international crime group based in Poipet, Cambodia, impersonated police and telecom staff in April 2025 to scam a 50-year-old woman in Gifu Prefecture. The victim, suspicious of the fraudster’s arrogant behavior, reported the incident, leading to the case’s discovery. The suspect, acting as a ‘caller,’ was apprehended at Narita Airport upon returning to Japan. Evidence, including crime manuals and photos of fraud bases, was found on the suspect’s smartphone. Authorities are investigating the group’s involvement in multiple fraud cases. This group is separate from another fraud ring arrested in Cambodia in May 2025.
