TOKYO, Nov 18 (News On Japan) –
A British man has been arrested on suspicion of swapping real money for counterfeit cash in a gold commerce rip-off, stealing 13 million yen from a enterprise accomplice, Tokyo police revealed.
The arrest occurred on the morning of November fifteenth on the Kojimachi Police Station in Chiyoda Ward.
According to the Metropolitan Police Department, in October 2023, the suspect, Joe Kupoto, 40, together with an confederate, met with the sufferer and a dealer at a restaurant underneath the guise of conducting a gold commerce. The sufferer introduced 13 million yen in money, sealed in a paper bag, to buy the gold.
Kupoto reportedly took the money and spent about an hour underneath the desk counting it. During this time, he’s believed to have swapped the real cash with counterfeit payments. Afterward, he tightly taped the paper bag shut and returned it to the sufferer, claiming the money could be secured till the authenticity of the gold could possibly be confirmed.
The sufferer and Kupoto’s confederate then left to confirm the gold’s authenticity at a gold buying store. However, halfway, the confederate excused himself, saying he had pressing issues to take care of, and left the scene.
Meanwhile, Kupoto and the dealer waited at a lodge. When the sufferer returned, Kupoto had already disappeared. It was then found that each the gold and the money have been faux.
Kupoto has denied the allegations, telling investigators, “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” The investigation is ongoing.
Source: FNN