Japanese man wanted for fraud over shopping jobs in Thailand

Sunday 22nd November, 04:15 AM JST

TOKYO —

Thai police have placed a Japanese man on an international wanted list on suspicion of fraud allegedly for not paying expenses and wages to people who bought brand items in Thailand on behalf of his company in 2006, lawyers of the victims said Saturday.

However, since Japan and Thailand have not concluded a criminal extradition treaty, the Japanese police are not able to detain the suspect, identified by Interpol as Makoto Ito, even though they found him in Japan, and the victims are enraged with the judicial loophole.

According to Thai police and the lawyers, Ito found buyers through newspaper ads under the name of his company Flashy Colors in 2006 saying they could earn money by just purchasing goods in Thailand.

Then he traveled to Thailand with the Japanese buyers and received brand items such as luxury watches they had bought but he has not paid them about 60 million yen for the items and other expenses, they said.

Thai police obtained an arrest warrant for Ito and placed him on Interpol’s wanted list in September, while they have been exchanging information with the Japanese police as well.

Meanwhile, Japan’s National Police Agency told Kyodo News, ‘‘Generally, we can’t hand over the custody of Japanese nationals (to Thai authorities) even if they ask us to detain the suspect since the two countries have not struck a treaty to extradite crime suspects.’‘

One of the fraud victims said, ‘‘It seems as if he’s protected by the Japanese police even though he’s internationally wanted.’‘

According to a lawyer separate from the lawyers for the victims, another group of fraud victims has filed a lawsuit seeking reimbursement of their money as Ito’s company allegedly sent about 100 people to Macao to purchase luxury items in 2007 and still owes them some 500 million yen.

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Latest 15 of 33 Total Comments Show All

ganjaa at 01:04 PM JST - 22nd November

here's your man..via Interpol

http://www.interpol.int/public/Data/Wanted/Notices/Data/2009/30/2009_26030.asp
Hirota56 at 01:06 PM JST - 22nd November

Japan picks on weak people/countries,and the compromised. Everybody in Japan knows about it, so there is no sense of liberty and justice. Actually, Japan has always been a protectionist country, in all aspects of Japanese life. However, a standing ovation to the Japanese for claiming to be a eugenic people. The Japanese have isolated themselves in every aspect of Japanese uniquneness(sic). . .
itshay at 01:18 PM JST - 22nd November

interesting - only 2 people on the Interpol list by the Thai goverment, a Japanese and Aussie.

Even more interesting, there are zero from the Japanese government. Kinda proves the comments in the story, "It seems as if he’s protected by the Japanese police even though he’s internationally wanted.".
the_sicilian at 01:21 PM JST - 22nd November

Japan does not like to honor any international treaties, unless it is in their favor only.
smithinjapan at 01:24 PM JST - 22nd November

"I wonder what stuck Thailand and Japan from agreeing on an extradition treaty?"

Probably because it would mean they have to reign in a whole lot of human traffickers, and close down the 'Japanese only' prostitution street in Pat-Pong. Japan has nothing to gain from such a treaty, but a whole lot to lose. Think of all the criminals they would suddenly have to start giving a damn about.
hanadecaka at 05:26 PM JST - 22nd November

Vitims made only in Japan to foreigners taking finger print who is coming with his Japanese family entering all times in interantaionl airport.How Japanese does illegal job outiside world never knows.There is no accountability even diplomaitce level just matter of secrecy by power of money.
Miyaratmosphere at 05:52 PM JST - 22nd November

he_sicilian at 01:21 PM JST - 22nd November

Japan does not like to honor any international treaties, unless it is in their favor only.

***********************************:: Exactly, this country is shameless.
norinrad21 at 07:16 PM JST - 22nd November

Japan could sink into an abyss tomorrow and they still wouldn't extradite this crook. LOL
rei307 at 07:40 PM JST - 22nd November

It's a shame that some sort of "treaty" had to be signed or else criminals go unpunished. A criminal is a criminal. He or she should be held accountable no matter where they're from.
tyedyed at 09:19 PM JST - 22nd November

Japan always protects Japanese Nationals, period. This applies for things that happen in Japan or done by the Japanese outside of Japan. If you are not Japanese and a Japanese person causes an accident with you, you are still at fault. If a Japanese person commits a crime elsewhere and makes it back to Japan, good luck getting any legal help.
That's just the way it is. I love Japan but if you are not Japanese, you have or will face some form of discrimination while you are here. Just facts. It helps to think of OZ’s Dorothy and remember “You’re not in Kansas anymore” and not get mad the next time some restaurant or bar owner gives you the crossed arm “X” letting you know you are not welcomed(Japanese Only). Just move on and go someplace were you are welcome, you will have a better time anyway. No reason to spend your money in a place you aren’t wanted anyway, their loss.
PepinGalarga at 10:11 PM JST - 22nd November

In my travels through China, many of my friends who do sourcing for me have crossed paths with these Japanese scammers. Some of them even have offices where they fall behind on the rent, salaries, etc. and then when everything gets shut down, they dont show up to own up to their problems.

Not to perpetuate any stereotypes, but my friends always get paid up front when shipping things abroad. It's just common sense.

There's so many scammers out there.
Pukey2 at 10:46 PM JST - 22nd November

I noticed that the victims were Japanese too. That's more shame on the Japanese authorities.
JeffLee at 05:23 AM JST - 23rd November

Pukey, if the victims were NOT japanese, this story wouldn't even make it to print.
weatherjp at 10:37 AM JST - 23rd November

Compare this story http://www.japantoday.com/category/crime/view/man-extradited-from-china-arrested-by-kanagawa-police
kokuryu at 03:46 AM JST - 24th November

Why does this guy look familiar to me... I must have gotten some email from him some time in the past for some sort of business venture... Good thing I did not do anything with him...