The suspects allegedly told the victim her bank account was linked to a massive 600-billion-yen money laundering investigation. By claiming she faced imminent arrest, they pressured her to convert assets into digital currency to clear her name. Investigators link Okayama and Minamisawa to a broader network responsible for approximately 240 million yen in losses across multiple cases.
In section Cryptocurrency
Japan Police Arrest Two in 81 Million Yen Cryptocurrency Scam
Tokyo authorities have arrested 31-year-old Saki Okayama and 38-year-old Mitsuki Minamisawa for their alleged roles in a sophisticated fraud scheme. Operating from Cambodia, the group impersonated police officers to coerce a woman in her 40s into transferring 81 million yen in cryptocurrency under the guise of proving her innocence.
Police believe the operation was directed by a Chinese national based in Cambodia, over 4,000 kilometers from Japan. This case highlights a disturbing trend in Japanese special fraud, where impersonation scams involving law enforcement have spiked significantly. Through July 2026, such schemes resulted in 61.71 billion yen in losses nationally. In response, the Financial Services Agency and the National Police Agency have pushed cryptocurrency exchanges to implement stricter withdrawal delays and enhanced monitoring for suspicious wallet activity.
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