3 teens held over Japan ‘It’s me’ scam
Print Edition
THREE teenagers believed to be behind scams which raised US$4 million are being quizzed by Japanese police, reports said yesterday.
The trio, all 17, are thought to have been responsible for a rash of frauds across the country in which they have conned mostly elderly people into parting with large sums of money, reports citing police sources said.
The crimes, known as “It’s me” fraud, involve telephoning victims and pretending to be a family member — for example, a son — who is in some kind of trouble, perhaps debt.
Alternatively, the fraudster pretends to be calling on behalf of a family member.
The victim is asked to transfer a sum of money to help solve the problem and prevent their “son” from going to jail.
Despite police campaigns, an astonishing number of people fall for the trick every year in Japan and elsewhere.
Commentators say that the often-fragmented lives of families heightens risks.
Tokyo police made the arrests after a 64-year-old man and his 63-year-old wife were conned into handing over 1 million yen (US$10,000), broadcaster NHK said.
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