Rice-Sized Earpiece Used in TOEIC Fraud

Jul 23, 2025 | News On Japan

TOKYO - A Chinese national enrolled in a graduate program at Kyoto University has been re-arrested for taking the TOEIC exam under another person's name, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police announced.

The case is part of a broader investigation into a series of cheating incidents uncovered in recent months, with authorities now revealing the methods used in the scheme.

According to investigators, the cheating involved an ultra-small device — a gold-colored earpiece approximately 3 millimeters in diameter, about the size of a grain of rice — that was inserted deep into the ear canal, making it nearly invisible from the outside. The device was confiscated by police on June 7th from ten Chinese nationals, both men and women, suspected of attempting to cheat during a TOEIC exam session.

On July 23rd, police re-arrested 27-year-old Wang Likun on suspicion of impersonation. Wang allegedly used a miniature microphone hidden inside a face mask to transmit answers to test-takers wearing the concealed earpieces.

Investigators also seized additional equipment, including pendant-style relay devices, and believe the operation was facilitated by a specialized intermediary company. Police suspect the scheme was part of a coordinated and organized effort involving multiple individuals and are working to uncover the full extent of the operation.

Source: TBS

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