Man, 26, Arrested for Interpreting Chinese Ringleaders' Orders at Cambodia-Based Fraud Base; Alleged 31.4 Million Yen Swindled
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.
Aichi Prefectural Police announced by August 1, 2026 that they had arrested Toshiaki Karasawa (26), a Tokyo resident with no stated occupation, on suspicion of violating the Act on Punishment of Organized Crime (organized fraud). He is suspected of conspiring with others in February 2025 to call a woman in Ibaraki Prefecture from a special-fraud base in Poipet, Cambodia, while posing as a police officer, and swindling her out of 31.4 million yen in cash.
According to the prefectural police, Karasawa is believed to have served as an interpreter, relaying instructions from Chinese ringleaders who oversaw the fraud operation to Japanese "kakeko" (callers), and is also said to have translated fraud manuals. He reportedly received compensation of more than 1 million yen per month for this role. In connection with the same base, 37 people have so far been arrested and indicted, including Yusuke Sasaki (38), believed to be the operation's owner.
Current status: Karasawa has reportedly partially denied the allegations under questioning. As of this writing, it remains unclear whether he will be referred for prosecution or indicted, or how much of the base's full operation has been uncovered. This article will be updated as further details emerge.
Regarding international special-fraud and criminal organizations based in Cambodia, other reported cases include the residence-card fraud case involving an executive of the "Prince Group," described as one of Asia's largest criminal organizations (related coverage), and the arrest of 13 people transferred from Cambodia (related coverage). These cases repeatedly point to an organizational structure in which Chinese ringleaders direct operations while Japanese and other foreign nationals are mobilized as the operational front line.