MIE (TR) – An elderly man in Suzuka City has been defrauded of approximately 38 million yen after falling victim to an elaborate scam that began with an offer of cash in exchange for sperm donation, police said, reports Mie TV (Oct. 15).
According to investigators, the ordeal began in April when the victim, aged in his 70s, received a message from a woman he had recently met on social media. The woman made an unusual proposition, telling him, “If you cooperate in providing sperm, I will pay you 9 million yen.”
Following the initial hook, a person claiming to be a lawyer contacted the elderly man via the Line messaging app. The fake attorney began demanding money under the guise of confidentiality agreements and fees required to “unfreeze” a bank account so the 9 million yen reward could be transferred.
Following the scammers’ instructions, the victim visited multiple convenience stores, ultimately purchasing a staggering 571 gift cards. He transmitted the card numbers to the suspects, losing a total of about 38 million yen.
The man finally realized he had been duped after consulting an actual, registered lawyer about the situation, who immediately identified it as a fraud. The victim then reported the incident to the authorities.
Police are currently investigating the incident as a special fraud case utilizing “romance scam” tactics, in which perpetrators build a sense of intimacy before extorting money from their victims.