Osaka Prefectural Police arrested 41 people over allegedly swindling three women via a social media scam that is believed to have ultimately defrauded about 2,300 people across Japan of about ?650 million ($4.05 million) in total last year.
Police searched several bases used by the group and arrested company executive Shingo Matsumura, 29, of Osaka¡¯s Yodogawa Ward, who is believed to be a ringleader, along with 40 others on suspicion of fraud. Police have not disclosed whether the suspects have admitted to the allegations.
According to the police department¡¯s special fraud investigation division, the group bought social media accounts with large followings from brokers and used them to impersonate real influencers to solicit victims. In the scam, victims were told they could earn large sums through a side job if they first paid for training courses.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.