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Tokyo police: Ex-postal employee suspected in ¥26 million theft from customers

Fumihiko Fukuda
Fumihiko Fukuda (TV Asahi)

TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested a 41-year-old former postal employee suspected in the theft of more than 25 million yen from customers, reports the Nikkei Shimbun (Apr. 21).

On roughly 10 occasions in 2014 and the year following, Fumihiko Fukuda, a former section manager for a branch in Katsushika Ward, is alleged to have used an ATM to withdraw 3 million yen from a postal savings account belonging to an 91-year-old woman.

Fukuda, who has been charged with theft, admits to the allegations. “I used the money to pay off debts,” the suspect is quoted by police.

According to police, the suspect targeted elderly customers of the post office who live alone. In the case of the 91-year-old woman, the suspect utilized a reissued a bankbook for her account to make the withdrawals.

All told, Fukuda is believed to have stolen about 26 million yen from five customers.

The matter came to light after a customer lodged a complaint. Fukuda was fired from his position last year.