TOKYO - A woman in her 20s and two other individuals were arrested on Thursday on suspicion of defrauding a visually impaired man by luring him through a dating app and charging him excessive fees at a bar.
The three allegedly exploited the victim’s impaired vision—taking advantage of his difficulty in reading receipts and other documents—to repeatedly extort large sums of money using deceptive tactics.
The case centers around an incident in January when the man met the woman via a dating app designed for people with disabilities. Without revealing that she was a bar employee, she invited him out. At the bar, the man was allegedly charged a total equivalent of 1.9 million yen in cash and valuables, including a gold necklace. The three are believed to have used the dating app, originally intended as a safe space for people with disabilities to connect, as a means to lure potential victims.
The victim, a man in his 20s who has had weak eyesight since birth and holds a Level 2 disability certificate, started using the app in February. He quickly received a 'like' from a woman who introduced herself as "Lisa," later identified as Sugawara, one of the suspects. They arranged to meet that same day. The man recalled thinking she seemed like a kind person.
Following her suggestion, they went to a bar in Shibuya. Although Sugawara was an employee there, she pretended to be a regular customer. She proposed a drinking game involving a penalty shot of alcohol for losing a round of cards. According to the victim’s recollection, they ordered over 100 shots. He had initially opted for a 5,000 yen all-you-can-drink plan for two hours, but was later told that the shots were not included, resulting in a final bill of 690,000 yen. Although the menu stated that shots were extra, the man, who is visually impaired, said the dimly lit interior made it difficult to read.
Sugawara allegedly claimed that her card couldn’t be used and disappeared without paying. The victim noted that Sugawara had been reading the receipt herself, suggesting she knew he could not confirm the charges. “I think they chose someone easy to deceive. I only feel anger and resentment,” he said.
According to police, the suspects reportedly detained customers in a sauna and forced them to sign consumer loan contracts. They were not released until they could withdraw cash. Over the eight-month period starting in September last year, the trio is suspected to have scammed at least 54 individuals out of more than 80 million yen. All three have admitted to the allegations, but authorities believe a mastermind may be directing them.
"I had saved up my disability pension and other funds. I just wanted a good connection, but to have this happen is incredibly disappointing,” the victim said.
In an interview, Inoue, a visually impaired woman, explained that mainstream dating apps are often difficult for people with disabilities. “Even when we get along with someone, the moment I reveal that I am completely blind, they might walk away,” she said. However, she added that apps tailored to people with disabilities offer a sense of security, allowing users to connect more freely without fear of stigma. “I’m single and was hoping to meet someone good. These apps make me feel like I can take that step forward.”
Watanabe, who also has congenital low vision, echoed that such apps give people with disabilities a reason to act with optimism. “These platforms offer a sense of safety. They make people feel like, even with a disability, it’s okay to try looking for a connection. That mindset alone changes things,” he said.
But with these apps now being misused, users worry that one of the few remaining safe spaces for forming romantic relationships might be lost. “It feels like our trust has been betrayed. If even disability-specific apps carry this kind of risk, people will stop using them. I already feel hesitant myself,” said one user. “These scams are driving people further away from the chance to find real relationships.”
Source: TBS
