LAOS (TR) – Local authorities in Vientiane have rounded up and detained 16 Japanese nationals suspected of running an international phone fraud scheme out of the capital city, reports TBS News (Nov. 9).
According to reports, law enforcement officers raided a rented residence last week, taking the 16 Japanese suspects into custody on suspicion of involvement in telecom “specialized fraud” (tokushu sagi).
In such a scheme, ring members pose as police officers or other authority figures to deceive victims into surrendering cash or provide access to their bank accounts.
Investigators searched the suspected base of operations and confiscated approximately 60 mobile phones and tablet computers believed to have been used to carry out scams targeting victims back in Japan.
Contacted by the network, the Japanese Embassy in Laos stated that it is currently confirming the facts regarding the incident.
Cross-border scam operations targeting Japanese citizens have increasingly plagued Southeast Asia.
Following massive, ongoing crackdowns on sprawling fraud syndicates in Cambodia, organized crime rings have shifted and dispersed their operations into neighboring countries. Laos in particular has seen a wave of crackdowns and raids targeting Japanese fraud rings since the start of this year.
