Tokyo police arrest staffing firm head, others over laundering fraud money via crypto
In short
Tokyo's Metropolitan Police Department has arrested the 36-year-old president of an Osaka-based staffing company and others on suspicion of laundering about 4.4 million yen of fraud proceeds by converting it into crypto assets. NHK and TBS report six arrests, while the Yomiuri Shimbun reports five. Police believe the group laundered about 91 million yen in the same way over two months in 2024.
Read the full story 2 min read
Tokyo's Metropolitan Police Department has arrested the president of a staffing company and others on suspicion of laundering money taken by a special fraud group by converting it into crypto assets, according to reports citing investigative sources. NHK and TBS reported that six people were arrested, while the Yomiuri Shimbun reported that five men and women were arrested on October 7 on suspicion of violating the Act on Punishment of Organized Crimes (concealment of criminal proceeds). [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
TBS identified the company as staffing firm Weather and its president as Keisuke Tanaka (田中慶佑), 36. The Yomiuri Shimbun said the company is based in Izumisano, Osaka Prefecture. Also arrested was a 45-year-old man of unknown occupation living in Chuo ward, Tokyo, whom TBS named as Yusuke Shibuya (渋谷優介); the Yomiuri Shimbun said he lives in the Kachidoki district. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The suspects are accused of converting 4.4 million yen of fraud proceeds, deposited into a bank account in the company's name in February 2024, into crypto assets. NHK described the sum as more than 4 million yen including money obtained by the fraud group. According to the Yomiuri Shimbun, the money was used to buy bitcoin and then exchanged for Tether to conceal it. TBS reported that the funds, which included proceeds from social media investment fraud, were converted into crypto assets overseas. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Police believe the group laundered about 91 million yen of fraud proceeds in the same way over two months from February 2024. The Yomiuri Shimbun reported that police believe the suspects kept about 1% as a fee, and TBS reported that police suspect the laundering was carried out company-wide. [ 2 , 3 ]
Police suspect Shibuya acted as intermediary with the fraud group; TBS reported that he sent the crypto assets to the group. The Yomiuri Shimbun reported that police regard the company president as the leader who gave instructions in the laundering group, and that they plan to refer the company itself to the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office as early as October 9. [ 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
Police suspect a bank account in a staffing company's name was used to move fraud proceeds into crypto assets, and TBS reports investigators believe the laundering was carried out company-wide. The Yomiuri Shimbun reports police plan to refer the company itself to prosecutors, extending the case beyond the individuals arrested.
Key facts
- The Metropolitan Police Department arrested the 36-year-old head of a company based in Osaka Prefecture and others on suspicion of money laundering through crypto assets. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The suspects are accused of converting about 4.4 million yen of fraud proceeds, paid into the company's bank account in February 2024, into crypto assets. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Police believe the group laundered about 91 million yen of fraud proceeds in the same way over roughly two months from February 2024. [ 2 , 3 ]
- TBS named the company as staffing firm Weather and its president as Keisuke Tanaka (田中慶佑), 36. [ 3 ]
- A 45-year-old man of unknown occupation from Chuo ward, Tokyo, named by TBS as Yusuke Shibuya (渋谷優介), is suspected of acting as intermediary with the fraud group. [ 2 , 3 ]
- According to the Yomiuri Shimbun, the money was used to buy bitcoin and then converted into Tether, and the suspects received about 1% as a fee. [ 2 ]
- The arrests were made on suspicion of violating the Act on Punishment of Organized Crimes (concealment of criminal proceeds), the Yomiuri Shimbun reported. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The Metropolitan Police Department arrested the 36-year-old head of an Osaka-based company and others on suspicion of laundering fraud proceeds by converting them into crypto assets. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The specific charge concerns about 4.4 million yen paid into the company's account in February 2024. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Police believe about 91 million yen in total was laundered over about two months from February 2024. [ 2 , 3 ]
- A 45-year-old man from Chuo ward, Tokyo, is suspected of acting as intermediary with the fraud group. [ 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- How many people were arrested. NHK and TBS report six arrests; the Yomiuri Shimbun reports five men and women.
- Where the conversion into crypto assets took place. Only TBS says the money was converted into crypto assets overseas.
- Whether the president directed the laundering group and the fee the suspects received. Only the Yomiuri Shimbun reports that police see the president as the leader and that the suspects took about 1% as a fee.
- Whether the company will be referred to prosecutors. Only the Yomiuri Shimbun reports the plan to refer the company as early as October 9.
- Whether the suspects admit the allegations. None of the documents reports the suspects' response.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- NHK reports the arrest of six people, including the head of an Osaka company, over crypto money laundering. [ 1 ]
- The Yomiuri Shimbun reports that five people were arrested on October 7 and that police plan to refer the company to prosecutors. [ 2 ]
- TBS names the company and two suspects and reports police suspect about 91 million yen was laundered company-wide. [ 3 ]