TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested two men in Shinjuku Ward for allegedly illegally recruiting women to work in the nightlife industry by using the messaging app Line to weed out undercover female police officers, reports NHK (June 19).
Kota Furudate, a 23-year-old resident of Edogawa Ward, and Kenshiro Yokouchi, 26, of Shinjuku Ward, are accused of violating the Tokyo Metropolitan Nuisance Prevention Ordinance.
According to police, the suspects approached women on the streets of Shinjuku in March and April of this year. Using pickup lines such as “You’re cute,” and “Can we just exchange Line?”, the men would secure the women’s contact information before sending messages soliciting them to work at kyabakura (cabaret clubs).
Investigators believe the suspects deliberately used the Line exchange as a screening process. Because undercover female police officers on patrol will not exchange personal contact information, the tactic was used to verify the women were civilians and evade arrest.
Authorities suspect the duo may be members of Natural, Japan’s largest illegal scouting syndicate. Over the past year, police have arrested 22 individuals associated with the group for employing this exact same screening method.
During questioning, Yokouchi admitted to the allegations. Meanwhile, Furudate has denied the charges, claiming he was “just picking up girls.” Police are continuing to investigate the extent of their involvement with Natural.
