Five Arrested in Tokyo Extortion Plot After Man Allegedly Beaten and Forced to Pay ¥300,000
Tokyo, Japan — Japanese police have arrested five people, including high-school students, over an alleged extortion scheme in which a man was reportedly assaulted and forced to hand over ¥300,000 in Tokyo’s Shibuya area.
According to local Japanese broadcaster FNN, investigators allege that the group planned a so-called “bikouji” extortion scheme, in which a young woman allegedly arranged to meet the victim before other members confronted him.
The incident reportedly took place in June on a street in Shibuya. Police allege that after the woman had entered a hotel with the man and later left, several members of the group approached him.
Investigators say the man was allegedly assaulted and injured before the group demanded money from him.
The suspects allegedly threatened the victim with an additional payment, claiming that a settlement was required because the girl was 15 years old. Police say the group ultimately took ¥300,000 from the man.
Authorities arrested five people in connection with the case, including a first-year high-school girl and several boys.
During questioning, the girl reportedly told investigators that she wanted money to spend. The other suspects have also largely acknowledged the allegations, according to local reporting.
Police are investigating the exact roles played by each member of the group and whether the suspects may have been involved in other similar incidents.
The case has attracted attention because of the alleged use of a coordinated scheme involving young people and the exploitation of a situation to pressure the victim into handing over money.
Investigators are continuing to examine communications and other evidence that could clarify how the group planned the alleged offence.
The suspects have been arrested over allegations, and their guilt has not been established by a court. Japanese authorities will continue the investigation before the case proceeds through the judicial system.
