Largest group of residence card forgers uncovered in Japan

The Yomiuri Shimbun

11:22 JST, October 2, 2022

The Metropolitan Police Department has uncovered what is believed to be the largest group in Japan of counterfeiters making residence cards for foreign residents. Six members have been arrested, including a 30-year-old Chinese national.

The MPD arrested the six on Thursday on suspicion of violating the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Law.

They allegedly forged 42 residence cards around Sept. 5 at the home of one of the suspects in Asahi, Chiba Prefecture, using a computer and printer.

The seized computer contained information on roughly 20,000 cases, according to the MPD.

The MPD seized about 2,000 counterfeit residence cards, as well as about 3,000 blank residence cards.

Authorities believe the group sold residence cards for ¥1,500 to ¥7,000 each since last summer under the direction of its leader in China.

The group is thought to have made up to ¥140 million in sales.