Two Vietnamese Men Arrested for Illegally Converting and Selling E-Bikes as Unlicensed "Mopeds"; About 170 Units Modified Via Social Media Marketing
This article organizes publicly available information into a single account. Where it describes an arrest or an ongoing investigation, that reflects only one stage of criminal procedure and does not mean guilt has been established (the presumption of innocence applies). We will update this article as new information becomes available, including the outcome of prosecution, non-prosecution, or trial. This article is not intended to unfairly disparage any individual, group, nationality, ethnicity, or belief, and aims to provide objective, fact-based information.
Osaka Prefectural Police's Traffic Investigation Division announced by July 31, 2026 that it had arrested two Vietnamese men, including Thanh Thai Nguyen (27), a company employee living in Takashihama, Takaishi, Osaka Prefecture, on suspicion of violating the Road Traffic Act (equipment defects, among other charges). They are accused of conspiring with three Vietnamese women in January and February of that year to modify three electrically assisted bicycles so they could run on motor power alone without pedaling, converting them into "mopeds" that require a driver's license to operate.
Nguyen and the other suspect are believed to have been soliciting customers via social media for around three years, having modified approximately 170 units in total and generated roughly 4 million yen in revenue. While the modified bicycles look nearly identical to standard electrically assisted bicycles, they are said to reach speeds of around 30 kilometers per hour, roughly double the normal speed. The case came to light after Osaka police cyber patrols found the suspects had posted videos of the modification process on social media. Nguyen has reportedly admitted to the allegations, saying, "I knew it would become a motorbike."
Current status: On July 31, 2026, Sakai Summary Court issued summary orders against both suspects, fining the 27-year-old 275,000 yen and the 26-year-old 50,000 yen. Given that the pair are alleged to have modified roughly 170 units and generated about 4 million yen in revenue, the fines have drawn some criticism as too low to serve as an effective deterrent.
Other reported cases of illegal side businesses run via social media include an incident involving lending a company's registration to enable unlicensed taxi operations (related coverage). Cases of foreign nationals offering illegal services after soliciting customers through social media have been uncovered in various regions.
Editorial Perspective
No decision on indictment has been made at this stage, so this article reflects information from the investigative phase. An arrest is only one step in criminal procedure and does not establish guilt (the presumption of innocence). According to National Police Agency and Ministry of Justice statistics, the number of Penal Code cases involving foreign nationals visiting Japan has risen for two consecutive years since 2023, but remains below its mid-2000s peak (related article). A single case does not necessarily reflect the broader statistical trend; further developments are worth watching.