Beware of “Invitation to Asset Management” in Machiapu We met many times, beyond romantic feelings

In October, four men and women, including a 27-year-old representative of an investment consulting company from Chuo Ward, Fukuoka City, were arrested by Fukuoka Prefectural Police on suspicion of fraud and other charges for allegedly defrauding people of cash with false investment stories. Prefectural police believe there are more than 100 victims, based on the materials seized. The point of contact with the victim was through a matching app for people to meet for the purpose of love or marriage.

According to the Living Economy Division, the four suspects were arrested on suspicion that between August 2023 and January 2024, they approached two men and women in their 20s in the prefecture with false investment stories, claiming that they could earn high profits at online casinos, and defrauded each of them of 1 million yen in commission fees for their advisory services. Prefectural police have not confirmed the identity of the four people.

I used to be poor...

The prefectural police's assessment, based on the victim's explanation, is as follows.

First, two suspects, a man and a woman, who act as "recruiters" meet someone of the opposite sex through a matching app.

After having several meals at a bar or restaurant and developing romantic feelings for him, they start talking about asset management.

``I come from a single-parent household, and I was poor when I was young, so I realized the importance of money.''

"I think asset management is important in this day and age. There are people who are knowledgeable about asset management, so let's talk to them."

After saying that, I introduced him to the company representative. The representative then showed them an investment plan and lied to them, saying, ``You can increase your assets under management with a high probability at an online casino.According to our statistics, you can expect a profit of about 1.2 million yen over two years,'' and made him sign an advisory contract.

The victim transfers 1 million yen in cash as a commission fee. However, even if you ask for advice after signing a contract, you often do not receive a response for two to three months, and eventually contact stops completely...

According to people involved in the investigation, it appears that there was no actual advisory work that could be expected to be profitable.

Online casinos themselves are also crimes.

Based on the confiscated contracts and other documents, prefectural police believe that the company concluded contracts with a total of 104 people between the ages of 20 and 31 between September 2022 and March 2025, generating sales of approximately 100 million yen.

The online casino is operated overseas, and the suspects appear to have nothing to do with its operation.

A person in charge of the Lifestyle Economy Division cautions, ``There is no such thing as making money in investing or asset management.If someone you meet on a matching app asks you to talk about investing or asset management, please be especially careful.''

Participating in online casinos is itself considered gambling and a crime.