A man in Japan’s Hyogo Prefecture was scammed by fake police, with approximately 826000000 yen in crypto assets transferred away
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AT A GLANCE
A 65-year-old man from Hyogo Prefecture was induced by a fake police officer to transfer assets in 10 transactions, totaling approximately 826000000 yen in crypto assets.
Article
A man in Japan’s Hyogo Prefecture was scammed by fake police, approximately 826000000 yen in crypto assets transferred away
PANews September 30 reported, citing the Kobe Shimbun, that police in Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, said a man 65 years old was defrauded by suspects impersonating Aichi Prefectural Police officers, losing approximately 826000000 yen in crypto assets. The suspects induced him to convert his savings and securities into crypto assets on the pretext of verifying his assets and clearing him of suspicion of a crime. The man transferred the assets to an address designated by the suspects in September 7 to 17 minutes 10 transactions. The suspects then demanded “bail money.” The man became suspicious and consulted a friend, leading to the discovery of the incident. Police are investigating the case as suspected computer fraud.
PANews said the news was reported by the Kobe Shimbun.
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Police in Ashiya said that a 65-year-old man was scammed by suspects posing as Aichi Prefectural Police officers.
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The reported loss was approximately 826000000 yen in crypto assets.
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The suspect induced the man to convert his deposits and securities into crypto assets, claiming this was necessary to verify the assets and clear him of suspicion of criminal activity.
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The man, at September 7 to 17 minutes 10 transferred the assets to the address designated by the other party.
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The suspect subsequently demanded “bail money.” The man became suspicious and consulted a friend, leading to the discovery of the incident.
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Police are investigating the case as suspected computer fraud.
AI-assisted interpretation
The following is analysis, separate from reported facts. Verify important claims independently.
The scammers impersonated police officers and, under the pretext of helping verify assets and clear the victim of suspicion, first persuaded the victim to convert savings and securities into crypto assets and then transfer them to a specified address. The victim became suspicious after the scammers continued demanding “bail.”
Why it matters to readers
This case shows that scams involving impersonation of law enforcement officials may use cryptocurrency transfers to carry out large-scale fraud. When you receive a notice asking you to convert assets, transfer funds to a specified address, or pay “bail,” first verify the person’s identity through an independent channel.
Beginners should note: a person claiming to be a police officer who asks you to convert funds into crypto assets and transfer them to a specified address is a clear high-risk signal. Do not move funds based solely on a call or message; first verify the request with a trusted contact or official institution.
Risks and unknowns
The source text does not specify the particular cryptocurrency that was transferred.
The source text does not provide the address to which the funds were transferred, transaction records, or information on whether the assets were frozen or recovered.
The suspect’s identity and the fraud chain have not yet been disclosed.
The case remains under investigation; the actual losses and specific circumstances of the case are still pending further confirmation by the police.
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The current material is a PANews report citing Kobe Shimbun and does not include primary materials such as a police announcement.
Related concepts
Crypto Assets
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