Australian woman accused of drug smuggling says she was victim of online romance scam

… a customs official testified that his colleague was mainly asking questions to Nelson in English but ended up calling an interpreter and what she had said earlier was only summed up in Japanese during an interview that was not recorded.

There is absolutely no defense to Japan’s continuing use of poor interpreters in investigations and judicial matters, particularly in a day and age when quality interpreters can most certainly be sourced.

just trying to be strong because when mom locks her eyes with us, I want her to feel our strength and that she will feed off that.”

An Australian would never say 'mom'

The man told her he was the Nigerian owner of a fashion business and paid for her trip to Japan via Laos, her lawyers said.

Mum must be very naive or stupid. Nigeria should be a massive red flag to anyone.

"Indigenous community leader Donna Nelson"?

Why is this salient fact not contained in the article, but is mentioned only in the photo caption...?

Two years in custody?

@piskian

And your point is?

Japan is ackward strict and this won't change.

It is called a souverein country and these are the consequences.

I don't feel pitty.

Two years already in custody and that is the best story she could come up with? She will get a few more years to contemplate her poor life choices then be deported.

And your point is?

That nobody should stay "in custody" for two years before being judged.

3RENSHOToday  07:01 am JST

"Indigenous community leader Donna Nelson"? 

Why is this salient fact not contained in the article, but is mentioned only in the photo caption...?

why "salient".... ?

This woman isn't an innocent abroad or underprivileged and couldn't understand the old suitcase trick which by now is the same as being interested in somebody selling a bridge- she's one of the elite Aboriginals with a highly paid publicly funded job in one of the thousands of Aboriginal organisations in Australia all part of a budget that has been billions for that group for more than 4 decades.

These jobs involve perks like regular travel to go on international 'study trips' etc all funded by Australians who pay tax. She was even a candidate for the far left Australian Greens in the last national election. Australians mostly aint dumb enough to be sympathetic to her as they aren't for other Australians greedy and base enough to want to make money off crime that has numberous victims. Especially as this is an evil, hard drug. Her family's trip is taxpayer funded which is also being commented on unfavorably.

Ms Nelson and her family found out the hard way that the media manipulation based on her being Aboriginal doesn't cut it in Japan. She would have known that there are members of the Nigerian community in Japan who are associated with illegal drug trafficking and took her chances. Throw the book at her and show her that the Japanese justice system will not play identity politics including with her hard left Aus Govt that as usual is making excuses for her.

There is absolutely no defense to Japan’s continuing use of poor interpreters in investigations and judicial matters, particularly in a day and age when quality interpreters can most certainly be sourced.

Blamed the interpreter? There is absolutely no defense for the woman's lack of common sense.

That nobody should stay "in custody" for two years before being judged.

She is lucky. In Singapore, she would be facing a death sentence.

An Australian would never say 'mom'

They most certainly do.

However, they would spell it "mum".

Two years in custody is her prison sentence before she is found guilty or innocent. Personally every adult understands the rules of international travel. Every adult knows that we never carry anything for someone else.

someone else bought the case.

someone else paid for the flight.

she was supposed to meet someone she never knew.

Someone on social media.

an acquaintance.

I know nothing about this but even I have red flags waving in front of my eyes. She should count herself lucky she isn’t in Singapore. And I guess any women can use the love scam excuse now.

I'm all for a good bash at Japan's hostage justice system, but in this day and age if you fall for the Nigerian Just Take My Bags Here scam, you have no excuse for anything.

The scam was classic. Had all the hallmarks. You'd have to be living in a bubble not to have recognized that.

In Singapore, she would be facing a death sentence.

Tokyo and Singapore: Safest cities on the planet. The lawmakers in my country, who have allowed narcotics -- and the cycle of crime, homeless and poverty it generates -- to run rampant. They have much to learn from their much wiser and more sensible counterparts in Asia's developed countries.

When I check in at any airport I (and everybody else) are asked the same 3 questions.

1) Did you pack the bags yourself?

2) Has your luggage been left un-attended at anytime?

3) Are you carrying anything for anybody else.

Advisable to answer the question's honestly.

Even so, two years in custody shows that the Japanese legal system is still very primative.

If she were in China, Malaysia or Singapore, she most likely would be facing the firing squad or noose. She is very, very lucky this crime syndicate directed her to Japan - where she will likely see freedom again after several years in prison.

Never, EVER transit with anyone's baggage - except for your loved ones.

scam target used to be old person and there are many in Japanese jail. Even with strong proofs (psychologic deficience etc...), non-justice system put them for many years in jail...

I find it a very hard stretch to believe that, a then 56 adult, would be a "victim" of a drug smuggling scam.

"Indigenous community leader Donna Nelson"?

Why is this salient fact not contained in the article, but is mentioned only in the photo caption...?

Is this in fact true, JT?

And if so, why is this very pertinent information now absent from even the photos?

why is this very pertinent information now absent from even the photos?

Why is it even necessary to state that she is an Aboriginal woman? (Yes - she is). In what way will her being Aboriginal affect the case?

Shes obviously guilty of smuggling drugs. Even children are aware of the "take this suitcase to ~" scam

2, I refuse to criticize the harsh realities of the Japanese legal system while my family enjoys living in one of the safest countries in the world, if not THE safest.

The two years in custody, known in the U.S. military as "non-judicial punishment," denies the accused the right to a speedy trial. I suppose this is Japan's way of punishing her before she's found guilty and deported.

Why is it even necessary to state that she is an Aboriginal woman? (Yes - she is). In what way will her being Aboriginal affect the case?

"Indigenous Community Leader" Donna Nelson.

Don't you think readership wants to know this information? Particularly the indigenous people she represents?

Two years on remand waiting on the trial seems an excessively long time.

In a country with a low crime rate, surely the courts aren’t that busy.

I'd suggest an IQ test first. Probably this lady doesn't belong into prison but somewhere else. Although formally guilty of course, but if someone hears Nigeria, Laos and an unknown luggage, that surely would normally rise all alarms at once, wouldn't it? Additionally, that they don't check the luggage sufficiently at all other airports involved , before landing in Tokyo, is very suspicious. Those responsible there, also belong to court or at least the airport operation licence for international air traffic withdrawn.

The lawmakers in my country, who have allowed narcotics -- and the cycle of crime, homeless and poverty it generates -- to run rampant. They have much to learn from their much wiser and more sensible counterparts in Asia's developed countries.

look no further than the tragedy Canada is slowly becoming. It is the only nation on the planet (certainly 1st world" where HIV cases are rising, right along with its Orwellian-named "safe injection sites".

The same crime in Australia

15 years jail and/or a fine of up to 1,800 penalty units, or. 25 years jail and/or 3,000 penalty units for trafficking a commercial quantity of an illegal drug.

She may be telling the truth but stupidity doesn't stop it being a crime

lets talk facts.

she is adult so I expect she knew what she is doing and possibly was aware that this is criminal offense in Japan.

romance scam or not,good person/mother or not...all makes no difference.

there is law and is trespassing of law.

so accept verdict and punishment.lucky will be not hanged like in some other countries.