Yuta Kobayashi, 26, has been arrested in Japan for allegedly using the cryptocurrency Monero to launder funds from a 100 million yen ($665,800) credit card fraud scheme.
According to a Monday report by Nikkei, the arrest followed an extensive investigation by Japan’s Cyber Special Investigation Division and multiple prefectural police forces.
Yuta Kobayashi’s ‘Illegal Part-Time Jobs’
The report stated that Kobayashi is suspected of leading a group that used stolen credit card information to conduct fraudulent transactions.
The group attempted to obscure the money trail by utilizing Monero, a privacy-focused crypto known for its anonymity.
Investigators were able to trace Monero transactions, making this the first case in Japan where such analysis led to an arrest.
Yuta Kobayashi’s group is accused of conducting about 900 fraudulent transactions using stolen credit card details between June 2021 and January 2022.
These transactions reportedly involved fictitious sales on online platforms, including the flea market site Mercari, where fake listings were created to facilitate the fraud.
Investigators believe that the stolen credit card information was obtained through phishing tactics, such as fake websites and deceptive emails.
This method allowed the group to gain access to personal financial information and process unauthorized transactions.
The investigation revealed that Kobayashi’s group recruited participants through social media, advertising “illegal part-time jobs” to lure them into the scheme.
Communications within the group took place through encrypted messaging apps, adding an additional layer of complexity to the investigation.
Credit Card Frauds Rising in Japan
Japan’s Cyber Special Investigation Unit joined the probe in August, working alongside local police forces with 18 suspects arrested.
Through the analysis of the digital transactions, they were able to trace Monero flows, ultimately leading to Kobayashi’s identification.
The Japan Credit Association reported record damages of 54.09 billion yen in 2023—over 90% stemming from credit card number theft.
From January to June 2024, damages reached 26.82 billion yen, exceeding the 26.28 billion yen recorded during the same period in 2023.
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