TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested two men for allegedly defrauding ticket shops in Shinjuku Ward of approximately 2 million yen in gift cards using credit cards obtained from people struggling with debt, reports Nippon News Network (June 24).
Police arrested Yuichiro Suzuki, 39, and Yugo Takahashi, 33, both of unknown occupations, on suspicion of fraud.
According to investigative sources, the duo conspired with other members of a fraud ring in March 2025 to purchase beer tickets and gift cards using credit cards registered in other people’s names.
Police have not disclosed whether the two suspects have admitted to the allegations.
The suspects allegedly preyed on financially desperate individuals on social media, baiting them with posts such as, “We will consult with those who have debt.” When victims reached out, the men offered a deceptive deal: “Hand over your credit card, and we will give you a cash reward.”
After obtaining the cards, the group bought the vouchers at Shinjuku shops and fenced them at buy-back stores to be converted into cash. Police revealed that the suspects handed 70 percent of the illicit proceeds back to the actual cardholders as their promised “reward.”
To delay detection and prevent credit card companies from contacting the true owners about the suspicious charges, Suzuki and Takahashi allegedly instructed the cardholders to change their registered home addresses and workplaces to fictitious locations.
Investigators believe Suzuki acted as the ringleader who issued instructions within the fraud group.
