A 38-year-old Kyoto police officer has been arrested on suspicion of fraud after he visited the home of a man in his 70s and promised “to hold on to (the victim’s) cash, withdrawn from a bank, for safekeeping.”
According to Kyoto prefectural police, the incident occurred last November. Police said Takahashi is suspected of swindling 11.8 million yen from his victim, who lives in Kyoto’s Fushimi Ward.
To deal with the increasing number of scams in which people pretending to be an elderly person’s relative, call them and ask for cash, saying they are in financial trouble, police have requested financial institutions to implement special anti-fraud measures, which include notifying them when an elderly client withdraws a hefty amount of cash.
Last Nov 8, the man in his 70s withdrew 5 million yen in cash over the counter. The bank contacted the local police. Takahashi, who was on duty that day, was asked to go and check on the man. Takahashi visited the man’s residence and told him it might be safer if he kept the money for the man at the police station. On Nov 14, Takahashi contacted the bank and said it would be alright if Takahashi made another withdrawal. The next day, Takahashi convinced the man to withdraw another 6.8 million yen in cash and give it to him for safekeeping.
Police said Takahashi claims to have spent most of the money on investments, but denies having any intention to swindle the [victim out of] cash. He said he just borrowed the money.
© Japan Today
13 Comments
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Do the hustle
Yeah, without consent and with no intention of paying it back.
This reflects the problem with the Japanese economy. Your money is after at home than in a bank.
Alfie Noakes
That money was just resting in my account.
yoshisan88
This is one bizarre story.
Nippori Nick
Putting on my Sherlock Holmes hat I would narrow that down to nightlife and Women or gambling
Kobe White Bar Owner
Protect and swerve.
Silvafan
Like I said in a previous post, what do you do when the people in charges are the ones breaking the crimes?
Alphaape
Never understood this in Japan. If a relative of mine was in some type of financial trouble, then it's up to them to get themselves out. I understand parents helping their children out, but from what I have read, these are really old people and their adult children are calling and asking for help, and they don't recognize their own children's voices. To me that seems strange, and let's me know that there is not much family cohesion in Japan as they like to portray.
Luddite
What an utter scumbag.
WilliB
Brilliant excuse!
vinarius@pm.catv.ne.jp
For kyptoics, there is this term ' kanchigai ', I guess, it is time we stop anyone for using this term.
Stewart Gale
@Alfie
I like the comedy reference!
3RENSHO
"This reflects the problem with the Japanese economy. Your money is after at home than in a bank."
After at home? What do you mean? How does "after at home" reflect the problem with the Japanese economy?