Nagoya Woman Arrested for Defrauding Men in Romance Scam

A 26-year-old woman from Nagoya has been arrested on suspicion of defrauding men by encouraging them to develop romantic feelings for her before repeatedly requesting money. Thirteen men have reported losses totaling approximately 30 million yen in a scheme that echoes the notorious "Itadaki Joshi" romance fraud case.

The suspect, identified as Kawamura, has faced legal troubles previously for fraud-related allegations, including an accusation of swindling 1 million yen in cash from a man in Aichi Prefecture. Police believe she specifically targeted middle-aged and elderly men, using romantic relationships and promises of marriage to gain their trust before soliciting financial assistance.

The alleged scheme is reminiscent of the case involving Mai Watanabe, known online as "Itadaki Joshi Riri-chan," who was convicted for exploiting men's romantic feelings to extract large sums of money. One alleged victim, a man in his 60s from Gifu Prefecture, reported meeting Kawamura through an acquaintance and believed their relationship was progressing towards marriage.

According to this victim, Kawamura discussed dating with marriage in mind, stating in a LINE message that she was only interested in relationships that could lead to marriage due to her age. However, the promised marriage never materialized. Instead, Kawamura allegedly began requesting bank transfers to cover various expenses, including rent.

Another victim recounted how Kawamura approached him romantically, expressing her affection and unexpectedly asking him to be her boyfriend. This relationship quickly devolved into repeated requests for financial help. He claimed to have handed over 430,000 yen after Kawamura fabricated a story about needing money to settle a dispute involving an extramarital affair.

Revelations from Recorded Conversations

Investigators have uncovered recordings of conversations between Kawamura and one of the victims, revealing her persistent requests for financial assistance even after he expressed frustration over her demands. In one exchange, she referred to her latest request as possibly her "last favor," apologizing and insisting she had no one else to turn to.

The victim responded that he was tired of being asked for money and could no longer provide financial support. Kawamura allegedly replied that she disliked asking for money and simply wanted to meet him normally, but claimed that the situation would continue unless her financial issues were resolved.

Before her arrest, Kawamura was approached by reporters and, when asked about the men who claimed to have been deceived, she threatened to call the police instead of responding. During police questioning, she denied the fraud allegations, stating, "It is true that I borrowed money, but I intended to repay it."

The Unraveling

A total of 13 men have come forward, claiming to have been victimized, with their combined losses estimated at approximately 30 million yen. Police are continuing their investigation into Kawamura's activities, including whether she was involved in additional fraudulent transactions beyond those that led to her recent arrests.

As the investigation unfolds, the implications of Kawamura's actions raise questions about the vulnerabilities of individuals seeking companionship and the lengths to which scammers will go to exploit these emotions. The case serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with online and romantic interactions, particularly for those who may be more susceptible to manipulation. The police's ongoing inquiry may reveal further details about Kawamura's methods and any additional victims who have yet to come forward, highlighting the need for vigilance in the face of such deceptive schemes.