News On Japan

Four Women Arrested for Targeting Tourists in Prostitution Scam

TOKYO, Jul 24 (News On Japan) - Four women have been arrested by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police for allegedly engaging in prostitution solicitation, known as "tachinbo" or street soliciting, near Okubo Park in Shinjuku's Kabukicho district, targeting foreign tourists.

The suspects, including 20-year-old Miyu Aoyagi, were taken into custody on suspicion of violating the Anti-Prostitution Law. According to investigators, the group waited on the streets to solicit customers for prostitution.

To evade undercover officers, the women specifically targeted foreign tourists. Aoyagi is believed to have earned approximately 110 million yen over the past two years through these activities.

Among those arrested was 24-year-old Yumeka Uchiyama, who was captured on video by JNN moments before her arrest. After receiving cash from a man, she placed it into her bag before disappearing into the nightlife district with him.

The police received 11 reports over a nine-month period from foreign tourists claiming they had paid women money but were not provided with sexual services as promised.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police suspect the women were part of a malicious group engaged in defrauding foreign visitors and are continuing their investigation.

Source: TBS

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