TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested three men for allegedly defrauding a fourth man in the sale of three Pokemon cards, reports Jiji Press (Mar. 13).
In June 2024, Toru Morino, 38, Jun Takemura, 54, and Eiji Koda, 52, are suspected of working together to defraud the male victim, aged in his 30s, out of three limited-edition Pokémon cards at a hotel in Chiyoda Ward.
At the time, the suspects had claimed that they were buying the cards for 51 million yen. However, they showed him 1 million yen in 10,000-yen notes and handed over a large stack of paper disguised as currency.
Upon his arrest, Morino remained silent. Takemura and Koda have denied the charges, police said.
According to police, the victim was introduced to Koda through an acquaintance. On the day of the incident, the acquaintance was present for the signing of sales contract. The transaction was completed with Morino.
The man was given the money in a paper bag, but after Morino left the hotel, he realized the bundle of bills was counterfeit.
