Teen visiting Japan arrested for allegedly hiding 6 million yen in stolen cash in restroom.
The Fukuoka Prefectural Police headquarters.
Police on May 28 arrested a Taiwanese student on suspicion of hiding 6 million yen (about $37,700) in cash swindled from an elderly woman in Fukuoka Prefecture by a scammer posing as a police officer.
The 17-year-old student entered Japan at the end of March on a short-stay visa, and police are investigating the possibility that she was involved in a “hit-and-away” style operation in which someone comes to Japan briefly, takes part in fraud and quickly returns home.
The high school student, with no fixed address, is accused of teaming up with unidentified individuals and hiding an envelope containing 6 million yen in stolen cash in a women’s restroom at a convenience store in Toda, Saitama Prefecture, on April 15, in violation of the Act on Punishment of Organized Crimes and Control of Proceeds of Crime. The money had been swindled from an 83-year-old unemployed woman in Fukuoka Prefecture in a telecom fraud scheme involving a scammer posing as a police officer.
The student has reportedly admitted having hidden the envelope, but stated, “I did not think it was fraud.”
According to the Tagawa Police Station of the Fukuoka Prefectural Police, the girl received instructions from a handler and, after collecting the cash, headed to Saitama Prefecture by bullet train and other means. She was taken into custody in April by officers from another prefectural police force, and the Fukuoka police arrested her on suspicion of fraud on May 8.
Fukuoka Prefectural Police headquarters
The Fukuoka Prefectural Police headquarters is the central law enforcement agency for Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, responsible for maintaining public safety and order. Its modern headquarters building is located in the city of Fukuoka, serving as the command center for various police operations across the region. Historically, the force has evolved from earlier police systems established during the Meiji period, adapting to the needs of a rapidly growing urban and industrial area.
Fukuoka Prefecture
Fukuoka Prefecture, located on the northern shore of Kyushu, Japan, has a rich history as a gateway for cultural and trade exchanges with the Asian mainland, particularly through the port of Hakata. It was home to the ancient Dazaifu government and witnessed key events like the Mongol invasions in the 13th century. Today, it is known for its vibrant cities, historic temples, and famous festivals such as Hakata Gion Yamakasa.
Toda, Saitama Prefecture
Toda, located in Saitama Prefecture, Japan, is a city that developed as a post town along the historic Nakasendō highway during the Edo period. In modern times, it transformed into a residential and industrial suburb of Tokyo, with its history tied to the Toda clan who once ruled the area. Today, it is known for the Toda Park and its role as a transportation hub along the Saikyo Line.
Tagawa Police Station
Tagawa Police Station is a historic police station located in Tagawa City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. Built in 1934, it is a rare surviving example of pre-war police architecture, designed in a Western-influenced style with a distinctive clock tower. Today, it no longer functions as an active police station and has been preserved as a cultural landmark, reflecting the region’s early Showa period history.
The Fukuoka Prefectural Police Headquarters is the central law enforcement agency for Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, located in the city of Fukuoka. Originally established in the late 19th century during the Meiji era, it has evolved to oversee public safety in one of Japan’s major urban and port regions. The current headquarters building, which also houses the Fukuoka City Police, reflects the modernization of policing in the area, particularly after the post-war reconstruction and growth of the city.
Fukuoka Prefecture
Fukuoka Prefecture, located on Japan’s Kyushu Island, has a rich history as a gateway to Asia, with the ancient port city of Dazaifu serving as a political and cultural hub. It is home to iconic sites like the Fukuoka Castle ruins and the bustling Hakata district, known for its traditional festivals such as Hakata Gion Yamakasa. Today, the prefecture blends historical significance with modern urban life, offering a vibrant mix of temples, shrines, and contemporary attractions.
Toda, Saitama Prefecture
Toda is a city located in Saitama Prefecture, Japan, situated along the Arakawa River. Historically, it was a rural area that began to develop into a residential and industrial suburb of Tokyo after the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, when many people relocated from the capital. Today, Toda is known for its parks, sports facilities, and as a gateway to the nearby Toda Rowing Course, which hosted rowing events during the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
Tagawa Police Station
Tagawa Police Station is a historic police station located in Tagawa City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. Built in 1932 during the Showa era, it originally served as the city’s main police headquarters and is noted for its Western-style architecture, which reflects the modernization efforts of early 20th-century Japan. Today, the building is preserved as a cultural landmark, offering insight into local law enforcement history and architectural heritage.
