Two Vietnamese suspects arrested for “high-speed money laundering” into 11 accounts in just one hour

Two Vietnamese men were re-arrested by Tokyo police on July 31 for allegedly laundering money stolen through a fake police phone scam and using it to buy used cars.

According to police:

• In early April, the suspects tricked a man in his 40s from Saitama out of 14.3 million yen.
• They then moved about 4.23 million yen through ATM and online banking transfers from accounts they controlled to other people’s accounts to hide the criminal origin of the funds.
• The laundered money—around 8 million yen—was sent through 11 different accounts and finally transferred to 8 used car dealerships across Tokyo and surrounding prefectures.
• The funds were used to buy about 20 used cars and motorcycles, which were then exported to places like Vladivostok (Russia) and Karachi (Pakistan).
• Police believe the cars were resold overseas, turning the stolen money into legitimate profits.

The investigation continues to trace the money flow and identify those directing the operation.