SAITAMA, JAPAN — Four Japanese men were arrested on November 19, 2024, after being transferred from the Philippines to Japan for their involvement in an extensive fraud scheme. The men, who were apprehended by Philippine authorities earlier this year, are accused of participating in a large-scale special fraud operation that affected 29 of Japan’s 47 prefectures.
The suspects, one of whom was identified as Jun Kiyohara, 30, are believed to have operated from an apartment in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, where they coordinated their fraudulent activities. The Saitama Prefectural Police reported that the group targeted victims across Japan using telephone scams and other deceptive methods to steal money.
The group is connected to at least 110 special fraud cases, which resulted in total losses exceeding 1,017 million yen. However, based on materials seized during the investigation, police suspect that the total damage caused by the group may reach as high as 3 billion yen (approximately $20 million USD).
The fraud operation is part of a broader network of scammers utilizing international connections to orchestrate elaborate schemes that exploit vulnerable individuals. Authorities have linked the group to multiple scams that involved impersonating legitimate organizations, including government and financial institutions, to trick victims into sending large sums of money.
The Saitama Prefectural Police and other Japanese law enforcement agencies have worked closely with Philippine authorities to track down the suspects and bring them back to Japan for prosecution. Police are continuing to analyze the materials seized from the operation and are warning the public to remain cautious of similar scams.
