Japan man re-arrested over collecting others' PayPay accounts, police probe fraud use
Version 2: Nippon TV adds the purchase prices of 7,000 to 20,000 yen, the suspect's admission, and police scrutiny of the person who commissioned the accounts and possible criminal-group misuse.
In short
Tokyo police have re-arrested a 33-year-old man over the purchase of other people's PayPay accounts, with NHK reporting the Metropolitan Police Department believes the accounts were meant to receive money obtained through fraud. TBS and Nippon TV identified him as Masanobu Kimura of Sapporo and said he allegedly bought accounts from four people for 7,000 to 20,000 yen each and passed them on for a reward. Nippon TV reported he admitted collecting the accounts and that police are looking into who commissioned him and whether a criminal group used the accounts.
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A 33-year-old man has been re-arrested on suspicion of collecting other people's accounts for the QR-code payment service PayPay, according to TBS and Nippon TV. TBS identified him as Masanobu Kimura, 33, unemployed, of Sapporo. NHK reported an arrest in the same case and said the Metropolitan Police Department believes the account was intended as a destination for money obtained through fraud. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
According to Nippon TV, police allege Kimura conspired with others last year to obtain the PayPay accounts of four people for payment. TBS reported that he bought accounts from four people and passed them to other people for a reward. Nippon TV reported that he and others took requests from an unidentified party, posted messages such as “buying accounts” on social media and paid about 7,000 to 20,000 yen per account. [ 2 , 3 ]
Nippon TV reported that Kimura admitted the allegation, saying “there is no mistake that I collected them.” TBS reported that he had already been arrested and indicted on suspicion of defrauding money on the app. NHK described him as a suspect in the buying of another person's PayPay account, without giving his name. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The Metropolitan Police Department is continuing to investigate, according to Nippon TV, including the person who commissioned Kimura and the possibility that the accounts were misused by a criminal group. TBS likewise reported that the accounts he bought may have been used in fraud. The documents give no further detail on the outcome of those lines of inquiry. [ 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The case concerns how police treat QR-code payment accounts as items that can be traded and used to receive fraud proceeds, an issue for users of such services in Japan. The documents report no wider figures or policy response beyond this arrest and the continuing investigation.
Key facts
- A 33-year-old man was re-arrested on suspicion of collecting other people's PayPay accounts, according to TBS and Nippon TV; NHK reported an arrest in the same case. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The suspect is Masanobu Kimura, 33, unemployed, of Sapporo, according to TBS. [ 2 ]
- He allegedly bought accounts from four people and passed them to others for a reward, according to TBS and Nippon TV. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Nippon TV reported the accounts were bought for about 7,000 to 20,000 yen after posts such as “buying accounts” were placed on social media. [ 3 ]
- NHK reported the Metropolitan Police Department believes he intended to use the account as a destination for money obtained through fraud. [ 1 ]
- TBS reported he had already been arrested and indicted on suspicion of defrauding money on the app. [ 2 ]
- Nippon TV reported he admitted the allegation, saying “there is no mistake that I collected them.” [ 3 ]
- Nippon TV reported police are also investigating the person who commissioned him and whether the accounts were misused by a criminal group. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether the purchased accounts were actually used in fraud. TBS and Nippon TV reported this as a possibility under investigation, not a confirmed fact.
- Where the arrest took place. The documents name the investigating department, the Metropolitan Police Department, and the suspect's residence in Sapporo, but not the place of arrest.
- The identity of the person who commissioned the account collection. Nippon TV reported police are still investigating this person and did not name them.
- The suspect had already been arrested and indicted in a separate fraud case involving the app, according to TBS. Reported by a single source so far
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- NHK publishes its report on the arrest, citing the Metropolitan Police Department's view that the account was meant to receive fraud proceeds. [ 1 ]
- TBS publishes its report naming Masanobu Kimura and describing the re-arrest over buying accounts from four people and passing them on for a reward. [ 2 ]
- Nippon TV publishes its report adding the purchase prices, the suspect's admission and the investigation into the person who commissioned him. [ 3 ]