A 26-year-old yakuza member linked to the Sumiyoshi-kai syndicate has been arrested for the eighth time, accused of recruiting young Japanese women from Tokyo’s Kabukicho district to run telephone scams from Cambodia, News On Japan reported.
Teruto Yamao allegedly conspired with two women to defraud a man in his 30s of 9.5 million yen in January 2026, according to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. Investigators stated the suspects impersonated police officers and telecommunications officials, convincing the victim his bank account was tied to money laundering.
The latest legal action involves a 20-year-old woman from Nagoya and a 22-year-old woman from Kushiro, Hokkaido. Police said both women were rearrested alongside Yamao after being identified as part of the overseas fraud ring.
Investigators noted that the female suspects crossed paths with Yamao near the Shinjuku Toho Building in Kabukicho. That specific zone, known locally as “Toyoko,” functions as a frequent hangout for teenagers and young adults spending time on the streets.
The women subsequently traveled to Cambodia to work as telephone operators, locally termed “kakeko.” In these roles, they executed fraudulent calls targeting individuals back in Japan.
| Suspect / Detainee | Origin | Alleged Role |
|---|---|---|
| Teruto Yamao (Age 26) | Tokyo (Sumiyoshi-kai affiliate) | Recruiter and organizer |
| Unnamed Suspect (Age 20) | Nagoya | Co-conspirator / Phone operator (“kakeko”) |
| Unnamed Suspect (Age 22) | Kushiro, Hokkaido | Co-conspirator / Phone operator (“kakeko”) |
Yamao faces multiple prior arrests stemming from similar offenses. Authorities stated his previous detentions involved kidnapping individuals he met through connections in the Toyoko area to force them into overseas scam operations.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department continues to investigate the full extent of the recruitment network operating between Shinjuku and Southeast Asia. Updates on the case depend on the police inquiry.
