Japan Crypto Scam: Two Arrested Over ¥81M Fraud Case

A woman in her 40s from Japan was scammed out of approximately ¥81 million ($515,000) by an overseas fraud network. The scam involved fake police officers posing as authorities and convincing her to transfer cryptocurrency to 'prove her innocence'.

The suspects, identified as 31-year-old Saki Okayama and 38-year-old Mitsuki Minamisawa, are believed to have been working with a larger fraud ring based in Cambodia. They allegedly manipulated the victim through multiple phone calls, threatening to arrest her unless she transferred the funds.

Police arrested both suspects over their suspected roles in the scheme, but neither has been convicted yet. The Japan crypto scam is part of a broader investigation into overseas fraudulent schemes. Authorities are examining how members contacted victims and handled the proceeds.

The case highlights the growing prevalence of fake police scams in Japan, with reported financial losses amounting to ¥61.71 billion within the first seven months of 2026. The National Police Agency introduced 'fake police fraud' as a crime category due to its increasing frequency.