Japanese authorities have dismantled a sophisticated phone scam operation that allegedly defrauded elderly victims of hundreds of millions of dollars, arresting a key leader and six other suspects.
Police announced on November 7, 2025, that the latest arrests bring the total number of individuals apprehended in connection with the wider criminal network to 29 since 2023.
The gang is believed to be responsible for an estimated $14.7 million in losses over the past 30 months, preying on vulnerable senior citizens across Japan.
The alleged leader, identified as Takahashimunemasa, 40, was reportedly responsible for managing the illicit proceeds from the scams.
The operation involved scammers impersonating officials from a bank association, contacting elderly individuals by phone.
They would then convince victims to send them their ATM cards under the false pretense of issuing new ones.
Once the cards were obtained, other members of the gang would promptly withdraw funds from the victims’ accounts.
Authorities described a clear division of labor within the criminal organization, with separate roles for callers, card collectors, and cashiers who performed ATM withdrawals.
One specific victim, an 80-year-old woman in Saitama Prefecture, lost approximately $26,800 after being targeted by the group.
Investigators identified the alleged leader and other suspects through extensive surveillance and examination of security camera footage.