Overview
- Hiroshi Kato, 59, was arrested on Jan. 14 on suspicion of collecting about ¥200 million in gold from a woman in her 80s in Hirado on Dec. 9.
- Investigators believe scammers posing as prosecutors and police extracted roughly ¥400 million in gold across three handovers from September to December 2025.
- Security-camera and dashcam footage helped identify the suspect, who allegedly claimed to be a Metropolitan Police Department detective and took four boxes at the victim’s door.
- The stolen gold has not been recovered, and police are examining the possibility it was melted and sold.
- Recent cases detail video-call “at-home questioning” and scripted pressure tactics, including a December incident in which a man in his 70s sent ¥12 million in cash, prompting police to publish scam audio and urge vigilance.