SNS Fraud Scheme Nets 41 Arrests, 650M Yen in Losses, June 11

Osaka police arrested 41 people on June 10 for running a side-job fraud scheme that defrauded approximately 2,300 people of 650 million yen. The group bought influencer SNS accounts and impersonated them to sell fake courses promising high earnings. The arrests mark one of the largest side-job fraud operations in Japan, targeting financially stressed workers seeking extra income.

How the Fraud Worked

The group, led by 29-year-old Shingo Matsumura, purchased popular SNS accounts from intermediaries and then resold them to fraudsters. Matsumura’s team impersonated real influencers and posted false claims about earning high income through affiliate advertising. Victims who followed the original accounts saw posts claiming “I earned high income thanks to this course” and bought fake training materials worth 150,000 to 510,000 yen each.

Scale of the Operation

Police estimate the group defrauded 2,300 people in 2025 alone, totaling 650 million yen in losses. Osaka police arrested the 41 suspects on June 9 and 10 after searching multiple locations. Officers seized over 1,000 devices including smartphones and computers. The group operated from a building in Suita, Osaka, where approximately 30 people worked simultaneously.

Why Side-Job Fraud Is Rising

Japan’s National Consumer Affairs Center received 2,956 complaints about side-job fraud in fiscal 2025, more than double the number from five years earlier. SNS was the source of 71% of complaints. Companies increasingly allow side jobs, and high yen inflation has pushed workers to seek extra income. Police suspect the group may be part of a larger anonymous criminal network called “Tokuryuu.”

What Victims Lost

The three named victims in Osaka, aged 30 to 50, lost approximately 880,000 yen combined. Police say victims received manuals about growing SNS followers, but the materials contained no real value. The stolen money flowed into Matsumura’s company account and was distributed among members. Police are still investigating the full scope of the operation.

Final Thoughts

Japanese authorities uncovered a 650 million yen SNS fraud ring targeting side-job seekers. The scheme exploited rising demand for extra income by impersonating influencers. Consumers should verify any side-job opportunity with the National Consumer Affairs Center before sending money.

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The content shared by Meyka AI PTY LTD is solely for research and informational purposes.  Meyka is not a financial advisory service, and the information provided should not be considered investment or trading advice.