Former insurance employee arrested over alleged 5 million yen fraud

Saitama police arrested Masae Suzuki (鈴木まさえ), 66, a former employee of Taiju Seimei Hoken (大樹生命保険), on October 14 on suspicion of defrauding a customer of about 5 million yen. The alleged fraud involved a man in his 80s in Yoshikawa in 2024. Asahi Shimbun reported that the customer was 89 at the time and that the incident occurred around mid-July. Police said the suspect admitted the allegations and said she used money for living expenses, according to Sankei Shimbun and Asahi. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 10 ]

Investigators said Suzuki worked in the insurer's Misato sales department in Saitama. She allegedly persuaded the customer to cancel an existing insurance contract by describing a new product or investment arrangement, then had about 5 million yen of the cancellation refund transferred to her personal account. Police are investigating suspected similar conduct involving about 20 customers. Sankei, Tokyo Shimbun and Asahi put the suspected total near 120 million yen; Mainichi Shimbun reported about 100 million yen, while Yomiuri Shimbun said more than 100 million yen. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 10 ]

Yomiuri and Mainichi reported that the case came to light after a customer contacted the insurer. Mainichi said the company announced in March 2025 that a former salesperson had taken about 81.3 million yen from 20 customers between May 2013 and January 2025, dismissed the employee and filed a criminal complaint. Nippon TV gave a different employment timeline, saying Suzuki retired in November 2024. Asahi reported that the insurer apologized and described the case as a serious breach of customer trust. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 10 ]