crime

Police on the lookout for man offering young boys money for sneezes

21 Comments
By SoraNews24

On the evening of April 25 near Sukenobu Station in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, a male high school student was approached by an older man who said, “I will give you 1,000 yen if you sneeze.” The boy did, so the man handed the lad a 1,000-yen bill and tissue.

While on paper that might sound like an awesome deal, the creepiness factor most likely gets jacked way up when it happens in real life.

It’s unclear whether the student fulfilled his end of the bargain or simply gave back the money, but either way he was disturbed enough to go to the police afterward and file a report.

The man is described as in his 30s, and about 180 centimeters tall. He is also said to have a slim build, black hair, black suit, and a black shoulder bag. In other words, he looks more or less like every middle-aged Japanese man on the street, which may make finding him difficult.

Added to this is the issue of whether or not what the man was doing was a crime, as unsettling as it was. In order to pursue the investigation, Shizuoka Prefectural Police are citing Article 2 of the Police Act which allows it to act under the aim of “maintaining public safety and order.”

The authorities are currently asking around and checking security footage for more information on the sneeze-procurer. Until they know more they are advising all residents to be on alert and, “Never take him up on the offer. If you feel uncomfortable, please go to the nearest police box and file a report.”

The bizarre nature of this case only gets more bizarre when we learn that this isn’t the first such incident in Hamamatsu City. On Oct 20, 2016 a high school boy reported being approached by a man described as in his 20s. The man said to him, “Can you sneeze? I’m doing research on sneezing.”

In December of that same year, police were able to find the man and give him a warning not to ask people for sneezes again.

These incidents took place two years apart and in different parts of the city, but the truly unique nature of attempting to solicit sneezes would strongly suggest they’re connected. The police will no doubt be paying the 2016 individual a visit if they haven’t already.

Until then, we should all do well to heed the police’s advice and not take money from strangers in exchange for sneezes. We’ve covered these types of cases many times in the past, and we’d wager dollars to donuts that there is something downright nasty on that tissue he’s handing out.

Source: J-Cast News

Read more stories from SoraNews24.

-- Chiba police hunting for serial attacker who puts finger in teenage boys’ mouths

-- Kyoto police set up system to predict when and where crimes will happen

-- Serial foot licker apprehended in Kyoto after 30-minute lick-attack

© SoraNews24

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

21 Comments
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Is it really a good use of resources having police work so hard on this case?

10 ( +11 / -1 )

Agreed with those above, and lest we forget how many officers were dispatched to search for the recent prison escapee. I once, in fact, had FOUR officers stop me on my bicycle to check if it was mine, while the bosozoku ran red lights and literally buzzed and honked us as they passed by. Cops pretended they couldn't hear anything, and one literally couldn't because he had to cover his free ear and turn away to hear the status of my bike registration.

In any case, is there anything they can do, legally, if they catch this guy? Creepiness factor aside, I don't even think they can twist the usual laws in any way to get him. While I'd keep an eye out, there are far more serious things going on the police need to tend to but ignore.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Man : “I will give you 1,000 yen if you sneeze.”

Me : Boy, are you in luck! I have the worst case of allergies! How much money do you have?

He did nothing wrong! Let him do his "research"!

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Nippori Nick, you are absolutely right. Those bicycle riders aren't going to stop and ID themselves are they?

6 ( +6 / -0 )

“I will give you 1,000 yen if you sneeze.” The boy did, so the man handed the lad a 1,000-yen bill and tissue.”

“It’s unclear whether the student fulfilled his end of the bargain or simply gave back the money”

Which is it? First you have the student sneezing and then you say you’re not sure.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

A thousand yen for 2 seconds of work is nothing to sneeze at.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

The man is described as in his 30s

And then

he looks more or less like every middle-aged Japanese man on the street

30's is not middle aged, either its a poor translation or the writer doesnt have much clue on age brackets.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Considering kids have been lured into dangerous situations and even killed before, it is better to stay on the safe side and at least find out what this guy is up to. Yeah, yeah, it's expensive, but as a parent I would be creeped out if my kids came home with the same story. I also agree that the Bosozoku should be pursued. They are outright ignored.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I have been crazy sneezing lately cleaning up my house. If he wants some ethnic sneezing from an American, I'll give him 2 or 3 sneezes for 1000yen.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

How does one just suddenly sneeze?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I bet he loves hay fever season.

It's very creepy and obviously has some kind of sexual motive, but is it illegal?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The guy has a sneezing fetish, which is a real thing and even has forums and porn dedicated to it. He is probably harmless, but he ought to stick to getting his kicks off the internet or paying sex workers for his sneezes rather than involving people who do not understand what he is really up to.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I have a runny nose. So if you're reading this, come here. You'll get more than you bargained for. lol

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Can you get DNA like that as swapping the inside of your mouth ? So maybe a guy looking to find out if that kid is his son by a paternity test. I know it might be stretched but who knows these days...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

That's some weird fetish mate. This guy probably has more money the Public Agent if you know what i mean

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Will it end up being a "cold" case?

Maybe another man might start offering 1000 yen to people to burp.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Sorry, but this story is so dumb...why is this even news?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The man seems to be trying to prove to himself that he can get somebody to what he wants, or do his work for him by offering money.

Maybe he wants to prove that he can be in control.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Nippori NickToday 08:44 am JST

Is it really a good use of resources having police work so hard on this case?

If there were 6,000 plus police looking for a petty thief, just a guess that the average cop doesn't have a high case load.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Is it real.Sound like an Urban Myth.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

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