Matchmaking App Used for Cryptocurrency Fraud Scheme: 5 Arrested in Aichi

Aichi Police arrested five individuals, including a marriage consultation agency representative, for operating a cryptocurrency fraud scheme targeting men through matchmaking apps. The organization used approximately 280 female part-time workers to collect personal information from over 5,600 men and collaborated with other fraud groups.

Overview of the Case

Aichi Police arrested five individuals on September 2, 2024, for operating a cryptocurrency fraud scheme using matchmaking apps. The suspects allegedly impersonated a woman they met through a matchmaking app and convinced a 39-year-old man in Tokyo to send approximately 150,000 yen worth of cryptocurrency, claiming it was for investment purposes.

How the Scam Operated

This organized fraud ring employed a sophisticated, multi-layered approach:

Recruitment of Female Accomplices: Approximately 280 women were recruited through SNS to work as part-time employees
Data Harvesting: These women were registered on matchmaking apps under the guise of working for a marriage consultation agency. They were instructed to extract personal information from male users, including LINE IDs and annual income
Mass Information Collection: The group successfully gathered information on at least 5,600 men
Fraud Execution: This harvested data was shared with other fraud rings, which then targeted victims with cryptocurrency and financial scams

Warning Signs to Watch For

Red Flags in Matchmaking App Conversations

Quick investment pitches: Investment opportunities appear very early in conversations
Invasive personal questions: Requests for detailed information about income, employment, family, and contact details
Profile inconsistencies: Low-quality photos or suspicious profile details
Sudden financial demands: Pressure to send cryptocurrency for vague "investment" reasons
Rapid migration to other platforms: Attempts to quickly move conversations to LINE, email, or other messaging apps

Prevention Tips

Guard Personal Information Carefully: Never share detailed financial or employment information with people you've just met online
Be Skeptical of Investment Offers: Treat investment proposals from new acquaintances with extreme caution
Exercise Extreme Caution with Cryptocurrency: Never send cryptocurrency without thoroughly understanding the transaction and the recipient
Verify Identity When Possible: Attempt to verify that the person is who they claim to be before engaging deeply
Use Official, Reputable Apps: Stick to established, well-reviewed matchmaking platforms
Consult Trusted Advisors: If something feels off, discuss it with family, friends, or authorities before taking action

Where to Report

Police: Contact your local police department's fraud division
National Police Agency (NPA): Japan's central fraud reporting system
Consumer Affairs Agency: Dial 188 to reach local consumer centers nationwide
National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan: For reporting and assistance
Matchmaking App Operators: Use the app's reporting feature to flag suspicious users

Important Note

Cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible once completed, making recovery virtually impossible. Always exercise extreme caution with any financial requests and consult law enforcement or consumer protection agencies before sending money.