TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested a 33-year-old unemployed man from Hokkaido Prefecture for allegedly swindling a woman by tricking her into sending money via the mobile payment app PayPay, reports Nippon News Network (June 17).
Masanobu Kimura, a resident of Sapporo City, Hokkaido, was arrested on suspicion of computer fraud. According to investigative sources, Kimura conspired with accomplices in August to defraud a woman who had attempted to purchase a tennis racket from an online shopping site.
The website turned out to be a fraudulent storefront. Kimura and his accomplices allegedly sent the victim a message claiming the item was out of stock and offered to refund her via electronic money.
“We will process your refund,” the scammers told the woman. “Please scan this QR code and enter the authentication code we give you.”
However, the QR code was actually a PayPay money transfer link, and the “authentication code” she was instructed to input was the exact amount to be sent: roughly 220,000 yen.
The victim told police she felt something was wrong but was pressured by the rapid-fire instructions. “I was suspicious, but they told me, ‘This is an authentication process, not a transfer. The money won’t be sent to anyone,'” she said.
During questioning by police, Kimura partially denied the allegations. “I admit I received the PayPay money, but I did not deceive anyone,” he told investigators.
Police believe Kimura was recruited into the scheme after applying for a “high-paying part-time job” (often referred to as yami-baito, or “dark job”). He reportedly received his orders from handlers in Chinese, leading the MPD to investigate the likely involvement of an international crime syndicate working behind the scenes.
Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant, noting that police received approximately 180 consultations regarding similar refund scams over the past year.
