High School Students Allegedly Commit Romance Scam via SNS, Impersonating Women to Extort Money

Multiple male students at a high school dormitory in Joetsu, Niigata Prefecture have allegedly impersonated women on social media to extort money from men. The school has reported the matter to police and informed parents. Underage drinking and smoking have also been confirmed.

Overview of the Alleged Fraud

Multiple male students at a high school dormitory in Joetsu, Niigata Prefecture have allegedly used social media to impersonate women and extort money from men they contacted. The incidents are reported to have occurred since July 2024.

The fraud took place in a dormitory that houses many students from other prefectures, particularly members of the soccer club. In addition to the fraud, underage drinking and smoking have been confirmed at the facility, pointing to overlapping disciplinary issues.

How This Scam Works

This type of fraud—known as romance scam—has the following characteristics:

Perpetrators create fake female accounts to approach male victims
They build an intimate relationship before requesting money
Often operates as an organized group effort
Exploits victims' fear of shame and embarrassment to prevent reporting

Warning Signs to Watch For

Red flags in social media conversations with women:

Profile photos appear unnaturally attractive or professional
Conversation quickly turns to money-related topics
The person refuses to meet in person with various excuses
Money requests escalate gradually over time
No reliable way to verify the person's identity

Prevention Tips

Never send money to people you meet online
Avoid trusting individuals who refuse video verification
Be cautious of relationships that must remain secret
If asked for money, immediately tell a trusted adult
Verify the identity of online contacts through multiple channels

School's Response

Joetsu High School has reported the matter to police and notified all parents via email. The Niigata Prefecture authorities have also requested explanations regarding the fraudulent activities. The school is prioritizing counseling and guidance for the students involved.

How to Report

If you are a victim of fraud:

Police Non-Emergency Line: Contact your local police department
National Consumer Affairs Center (NCAC): Available nationwide
Niigata Prefectural Police: Life Safety Division (Seikatsu Anzen-ka)

Being a victim is not shameful—early reporting is crucial to investigation and prevention.