TOKYO — A 27-year-old woman named Shizuku Ida has been arrested on suspicion of conducting a massive romance scam in Japan, allegedly deceiving nearly 100 men out of approximately 100 million yen. Police believe Ida and a female accomplice defrauded victims through dating apps, luring men with false claims and fabricated stories to gain their financial support.
In a recent case, Ida reportedly conned a man in Yamagata Prefecture, convincing him to transfer 346,000 yen after meeting on a dating app in October of last year. She later admitted to using the funds for online gambling and entertainment, saying she “lied to make the other person trust” her. Police report that Ida used multiple social media and chat apps, including KakaoTalk and Line, to develop relationships with her victims, who believed her various pleas for help with money.
Ida’s scam followed a manipulative script. Posing as a hostess under the name “Yuu,” she would tell victims tragic stories, like losing cash from her locker or being financially burdened by debts left by her parents. In one message, she claimed to be financially ruined, saying, “I really can’t do this anymore…There’s no hope. I’m screwed, I want to die.” These stories were all false, but they persuaded sympathetic men to send money.
The number of such romance scams in Japan has sharply increased, with complaints rising from 45 cases in 2018 to over 10,000 in 2023, according to the National Consumer Affairs Center.
A relative told Nippon News Network that Ida had cut off contact with family members, leaving her child with her parents before disappearing. “It’s a shame, she did something bad… I’m sorry,” the relative expressed.
Experts warn that virtual relationships can foster idealization, making victims more susceptible to scams. Akiko Takahashi, a visiting professor at Seikei University, explained, “If you meet in person, for example, you can see from their words and actions that they don’t really like you, and you’ll be more likely to see the truth.”
This incident highlights the risks of online romance scams and the need for caution when interacting with individuals who request financial assistance through digital platforms.
