TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested a 36-year-old former credit union employee on suspicion of fraud after he allegedly swindled an elderly customer out of 2.5 million yen, reports TBS News (June 18).
Rikito Tago, a company employee residing in Machida City, is accused of secretly canceling a fixed deposit account belonging to a woman in her 80s in February 2020, while he was employed at a credit union branch in Tokyo.
According to investigators, Tago visited the victim’s home during a routine sales call. Using a personal seal (hanko) that the woman had entrusted to him, Tago forged a withdrawal request form. He filled out the required details himself to make it appear as though the elderly customer had initiated the transaction.
He then submitted the falsified paperwork to his supervisor alongside internal documents required to terminate the fixed deposit, allowing him to easily pocket the 2.5 million yen in cash.
Upon questioning, Tago admitted to the allegations. “I wanted play money to pay for in-game purchases on online games and for going out drinking,” he told police, reportedly adding, “I’ve done this to others, too.”
Police are currently investigating further, believing Tago is responsible for multiple similar thefts using the same modus operandi.
