‘Like a video game’: Japan’s gangs hire online


A man, who said he was jailed for two years, speaking during an AFP interview on condition of anonymity at temporary housing for ex-prisoners in Tokyo. Criminal gangs in Japan are increasingly tapping into the anonymity and reach of social media to amass and mobilise money-hungry individuals – including teens – for crimes including fraud, theft and even robbery. — AFP

TOKYO: Risa Yamada grew up fatherless and struggled to find consistent work until she stumbled on an intriguing job listing: one of a growing number of advertisements posted on social media by Japanese criminal gangs.

Hired to impersonate a police officer, she thrived, wheedling hundreds of thousands of dollars out of Japan’s many lonely, wealthy and naive elderly people on the phone.

Uh-oh! Daily quota reached.


Experience an ad-free unlimited reading on both web and app.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In Tech News

Britain's M&S sorry after website and app hit by 'technical issue'
Honey, I love you. Didn’t you see my Slack about it?
The architects of ‘Hades’ strive to bewitch gamers again
A pithy YouTube celebrity’s plea: Buy this video game
Coming soon: Control your smartphone with facial expressions
Crypto lender Genesis to return $3 billion to customers in bankruptcy wind-down
US, TikTok seek fast-track schedule, ruling by Dec. 6 on potential ban
DXC Technology tumbles as investors fret over latest restructuring plan
Microsoft to release next 'Call of Duty' game on subscription service, source says
US labor board will suspend case against SpaceX pending company's legal challenge

Others Also Read