Latest news with #NationalPoliceAgency
Asahi Shimbun
a day ago
- Asahi Shimbun
Cambodia police bust suspected base for fraud against Japanese
Cambodian authorities have detained more than 20 people believed to be Japanese at a suspected base for phone fraud scams targeting people in Japan, the National Police Agency said May 29. According to the NPA, Aichi prefectural police had learned that Japanese nationals were committing fraud by pretending to be police officers in the Southeast Asian country, and the information was provided to the Cambodian side through the Foreign Ministry. Cambodian investigators on May 27 searched the building in the northwestern part of the country and detained more than 30 foreigners, including many believed to be Japanese, the NPA said. Computers, smartphones and other items were seized from the building. The building is located in Poipet, near the border with Thailand, within a cluster of offices and simple accommodations, NPA sources said. The NPA believes the Japanese at the base pretended to be police officers, phoned potential victims in Japan and told them their bank accounts had been used for criminal activity. The fake officers told the targets to provide cash to prove their innocence. From January to March this year, 1,894 such cases were confirmed in Japan, with damages totaling about 17.17 billion yen ($119.33 million), according to the NPA's provisional figures. Local police busts of such special fraud bases have increased around Southeast Asia. From 2019 to 2024, a total of 178 Japanese were detained at 14 bases in four countries: Thailand, the Philippines, Cambodia and Vietnam. In 2019, 52 people were detained at a base in the Philippines, the largest number at any single base. Many of the detainees were apparenlty victims themselves. Several reports said tourists and other travelers have been tricked into entering Myanmar where they are forced to engage in fraudulent activities by criminal organizations. According to Aichi prefectural police, a 21-year-old man in the prefecture informed them through a related organization about the special fraud base in Poipet. The man had applied for a 'part-time job' via a major employment site last December. He received travel instructions from an intermediary who met him at Nagoya Station, and then took a flight from Kansai Airport to Thailand, according to the prefectural police. A car that picked up the Aichi man took him over the border to the base in Poipet, where he came under the supervision of Chinese nationals, police said. He said that he and more than 20 other Japanese were ordered to take part in special fraud by pretending to be police officers and making phone calls to Japan. The base was surrounded by walls and could not be entered from the main street without passing through three gates with security guards, he said. The Aichi man returned to Japan in early January and provided the information to police. Aichi prefectural police will dispatch investigators to Poipet to check the situation. (This article was written by Daichi Itakura and Toshinari Takahashi.)
Asahi Shimbun
a day ago
- Asahi Shimbun
Man arrested in Japan's largest individual online gambling case
Police seized a notebook from the suspect that detailed his 'winning strategies' for online casinos. (Natsuno Otahara) Police have arrested a 38-year-old man on suspicion of online gambling in what is believed to be the largest individual case of its kind in Japan, involving bets worth tens of billions of yen. Makoto Chomabayashi is accused of wagering 90 million yen ($625,500), mainly on baccarat, on the global casino site Stake between August 2022 and April this year, according to the Metropolitan Police Department. The suspect, from Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, admitted to the allegations, saying he was aware that online gambling is illegal in Japan but believed he wouldn't get caught. 'News reports said there were hundreds of thousands of players in Japan, so I thought I was only the tip of the iceberg,' he said. However, investigators suspect he is much more than that and believe he placed bets totaling 28 billion yen, the largest amount ever attributed to one individual in an illegal gambling case in Japan. Despite the massive amount wagered, Chomabayashi likely ended up losing 40 million yen. He is also suspected of acting as an affiliate marketer for the casino site. To attract new users, he posted images of gambling wins on X under the alias 'Meikyo Shisui'—a term from Chinese philosophy meaning a 'clear and serene mind.' Investigators believe he referred over 100 players to the platform and earned 7 million yen in commissions since April 2023. The suspect said he was motivated by a desire for recognition, noting that praise for his big scores boosted his self-worth. According to a recent National Police Agency survey, an estimated 3.37 million people in Japan have gambled through online casinos, with total bets reaching 1.24 trillion yen annually. Alarmingly, 40 percent of users were unaware their activities were illegal under Japanese law. In response, the government has revised its policies on illegal gambling, introducing stricter regulations targeting affiliate marketers and third-party payment processors.
News18
2 days ago
- News18
Japanese Citizens Duped By Fake ‘Microsoft' Calls: CBI Arrests 6 In Raids Across Delhi, Haryana, UP
Last Updated: The gang tricked Japanese citizens by calling them with fake virus alerts, then charged money for bogus tech support services claiming to fix non-existent issues In a significant breakthrough, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), in collaboration with Japan's National Police Agency and Microsoft, has uncovered a major cyber fraud syndicate. Dubbed Operation Chakra-V, it resulted in the arrest of six individuals following raids at 19 locations across Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. The gang had been defrauding Japanese citizens through a fake call centre. The arrested suspects include Ashu Singh from Delhi, Kapil Khakhar from Haryana's Panipat, Rohit Maurya from Ayodhya, and Shubham Jaiswal, Vivek Raj and Adarsh Kumar from Varanasi. These individuals were part of an organised cybercrime network, deceiving Japanese citizens by impersonating representatives from the renowned software company, Microsoft. According to the CBI, the gang would contact Japanese citizens and intimidate them with claims of alleged technical faults in their digital and electronic devices. They then extorted money by offering fake technical support services. The fraudulent scheme employed social engineering and technical deception, making it easier to dupe the victims. On May 28, the CBI, alongside Japan's National Police Agency and Microsoft, conducted simultaneous raids at 19 locations in Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. This operation led to the dismantling of two fake call centres and the seizure of crucial evidence, including laptops, mobile phones and other digital devices. The gang's modus operandi involved scaring Japanese citizens through phone calls and convincing them of supposed viruses or technical issues in their devices. They then charged for bogus technical support, leveraging the trusted name of Microsoft. The money obtained through these fraudulent activities was laundered through money mule accounts, making it difficult to trace. The international cooperation between the CBI, Japan's National Police Agency, and Microsoft was instrumental in identifying the gang's hideouts and exposing its entire operational structure. The CBI emphasised that this operation reflects improved coordination between Indian and foreign agencies in tackling global cyber threats. All six arrested individuals face charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act. The CBI noted that the investigation is ongoing, with efforts to identify other suspects linked to this network. First Published: May 29, 2025, 19:00 IST
Japan Today
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Japan Today
New bike laws in Japan take effect in 2026. What cyclists and drivers need to know
By Elizabeth Sok From commuting to work and picking up groceries to cycling Japan's scenic national routes, bikes are a popular and practical way to get around. Even if you don't own one, Japan's many bike-sharing apps make it easy to rent a ride near you. But as with any vehicle, bikes come with rules, and new bike laws in Japan are coming soon. In 2024, there were over 67,000 bicycle-related traffic accidents, with over 80% of fatal cases involving a cyclist violating traffic laws. Smartphone use while riding is also a growing issue, with accident cases increasing by over 50% in recent years. In response, Japan's National Police Agency (NPA) has introduced stricter regulations to make cycling safer for everyone — riders, drivers, and pedestrians. If you cycle in Japan (or plan to), here's what you need to know. Red Tickets vs. Blue Tickets: What's Changing? In recent years, Japan has taken a stricter stance on dangerous cycling. Since late 2024, serious offenses like riding under the influence of alcohol or using a smartphone while cycling have carried steep red-ticket (赤切符, aka-kippu) penalties — including fines of up to ¥100,000 for phone use and, for drunk cycling, up to ¥1 million or five years in prison under the Road Traffic Act. But starting April 2026, a new blue ticket system (青切符制度, **ao-kippu seido) will go into effect for less severe violations. Already used for motorists and moped riders, blue tickets allow police to issue **on-the-spot fines for 113 cycling offenses, including ignoring stop signs or riding without a light. The system targets cyclists aged 16 and older and aims to improve road safety through more consistent enforcement, without immediately resorting to criminal charges. Blue Ticket Penalties The full list of infractions and their penalties is on the National Police Agency website (Japanese only), but here are some of the most common violations to watch out for starting in April 2026. What Do I Do If I Get a Blue Ticket? If you're issued a blue ticket, you must pay the fine within eight days, usually using cash at a post office or bank. Ignoring the fine may result in a court summons, and continued non-compliance could lead to a criminal case. While you can contest a blue ticket, doing so means appearing in court, and there's no guarantee the fine will be waived. In most cases, it's easier — and safer — to pay promptly and avoid further legal trouble. How Do I Pay a Blue Ticket? To pay a blue ticket, bring the payment slip you received to a post office or bank and pay the fine in cash. You'll typically fill out a simple form and receive a receipt — be sure to keep it as proof of I Can't Ride on the Sidewalk? Click here to read more. External Link © GaijinPot
Japan Today
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Japan Today
Accidents have been increasing among foreigners who obtained licenses under the current conversion system. We will draw up a revised plan.
Yoshinobu Kusunoki, commissioner general of the National Police Agency. The NPA will review rules to switch driver's licenses from other countries to Japanese ones following a recent series of accidents by foreign drivers. The agency plans to require those seeking to switch to a Japanese driver's license to submit a copy of their residence certificate in Japan and is also considering increasing the number of questions on the knowledge test. © Kyodo
