Smartphones, computers and other equipment seized in police searches related to the alleged social media-based fraud case are pictured in Osaka’s Chuo Ward, June 10, 2026. (Mainichi/Hayato Matsubara)
OSAKA — Osaka Prefectural Police said June 10 they had arrested 41 people on suspicion of fraud over social media posts falsely claiming certain courses could generate high income and then taking tuition fees.
Among the suspects is Shingo Matsumura, 29, president of the app development company Unity in Osaka’s Kita Ward. According to the police, the suspects purchased multiple cooking- and beauty-focused accounts with large numbers of followers through intermediaries, posed as influencers and posted on social media without followers knowing the accounts had been sold.
Between November 2025 and March 2026, they allegedly impersonated multiple influencers and posted false messages such as, “Thanks to taking this course, my follower count and income increased,” defrauding three women in Osaka Prefecture of a total of about 880,000 yen (around $5,500) in tuition fees. Police did not disclose whether they have admitted to the allegations.
Investigators believe the group promoted an “affiliate advertising” scheme in which users receive commissions based on product sales, sent victims teaching materials on how to increase followers and may have swindled about 650 million yen (approx. $4.05 million) from roughly 2,300 people nationwide.
Police are also looking into whether the group functioned as an “anonymous and fluid” crime network.
On June 9, officers searched several of the group’s locations in the prefecture, seizing more than 1,000 items, including smartphones and computers.
(Japanese original by Reona Mizutani, Osaka City News Department)
AloJapan.com