Mie, Japan | September Police in Japan’s Mie Prefecture have arrested a 20-year-old man in connection with an alleged special fraud attempt in which criminals reportedly tried to trick a woman into handing over ¥18 million in cash.

According to the Mie Prefectural Police, the incident involved suspects allegedly posing as police officers and telling the woman that her telephone number had been misused in a criminal case. They reportedly claimed that her bank account had been connected to fraud and that she could be arrested as an accomplice.

Woman Told to Leave ¥18 Million Outside Her Home

Police said the suspects allegedly contacted the woman on July 30, 2025, and used a series of false claims to frighten her.

According to investigators, the callers allegedly told her that a telephone number registered in her name had been used illegally. They then claimed that her bank account had been discovered during a fraud investigation.

The suspects allegedly went further by telling the woman that she could be arrested as a participant in the crime.

They reportedly told her that, in order to prove her innocence, she needed to hand over money so it could be examined as part of the investigation.

Police Intervention Prevented the Theft

Following the instructions, the woman reportedly placed approximately ¥18 million in cash outside the entrance of her home.

However, police officers who had been monitoring the situation intervened and arrested other alleged members of the group before they could successfully take the money.

The planned fraud therefore failed, and the woman did not lose the ¥18 million.

Police subsequently continued investigating the suspected network and arrested the 20-year-old man on September 9, 2026, in connection with the attempted fraud.

Fake Police Officers Used Fear as a Weapon

The case highlights a common tactic used in so-called special fraud cases in Japan: criminals impersonate police officers, prosecutors or other officials and use threats of arrest to pressure victims into transferring or handing over money.

Japan’s National Police Agency has reported that special-fraud cases remain a serious problem. By the end of July 2026, authorities had recorded 26,051 cases, with total reported losses of approximately ¥210.81 billion.

Among the methods recorded by Japanese authorities are social-media investment scams, fake-police scams, romance scams and fraudulent payment demands.

Fake Officials Allegedly Claimed Money Needed Investigation

In the Mie case, investigators say the alleged offenders attempted to make their story appear legitimate by claiming that the woman’s money needed to be temporarily collected and examined.

This type of deception relies heavily on creating fear and urgency. Victims may believe that refusing to cooperate could result in arrest or other legal consequences.

Japanese police have repeatedly warned the public that genuine law-enforcement officials do not normally demand that citizens hand over large amounts of cash in this manner.

Investigation Continues

The 20-year-old suspect has been arrested on suspicion of involvement in the attempted special fraud. Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the case and the possible involvement of other individuals.

Authorities are also examining whether the suspect was acting as part of a wider criminal group.

The case demonstrates how fraud networks can attempt to exploit public trust in law-enforcement institutions by impersonating police officers and prosecutors.