YouTube Creator Faces Extortion: Accused of Illicit Photos and Private Arrest Threats, Demanding Hush Money.

“It seems you took illicit photos. Going to the police is an option, but you probably wouldn’t want that. How much compensation are you willing to offer?”

The YouTubers threatened the man near the station.

 

On January 16, the Kanagawa Prefectural Police Tobe Station arrested two suspects, Keishi Takai (33, Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama) and Masaaki Sato (34, Tsurumi Ward, Yokohama), both unemployed, on suspicion of attempted extortion . They were posting videos under the name R Detective.

“On the ‘R Detective’ channel, both suspects introduced themselves as ‘Our hobby is observing people and studying psychology, especially creating multiple hypotheses and deciphering hidden thoughts from people’s behavior reasons (things they are particular about).’ The channel had around 12,000 subscribers, and they had uploaded approximately 20 videos so far.” (Statement from a writer familiar with online content)

How much compensation are you willing to offer?

 

The arrest in question occurred on the evening of August 15th last year, around 8:30 p.m. Sato and the other suspect allegedly discovered a male company employee engaging in upskirt photography of a woman at JR Yokohama Station. They reportedly apprehended the man near the station and demanded hush money to keep the incident quiet.

“I hurt my hand. It seems you took illicit photos. I saw it. Going to the police is an option, but you probably wouldn’t want that. How much compensation are you willing to offer?”

However, the man readily admitted to the act of upskirt photography, and along with both suspects, they went to the police box at the east exit of Yokohama Station. As a result, no money was paid.

“Based on the statement from the arrested man, the police were investigating Sato and Takai on suspicion of attempted extortion. On January 16th of this year, both suspects reportedly caught another man engaged in voyeurism at Yokohama Station, visited the Sotetsu Exit police box, and were presented with an arrest warrant. They were subsequently detained. During the investigation, the two denied the allegations, stating, ‘We didn’t demand money on our own’ and ‘We did not engage in extortion.'” (Reporter from a national newspaper’s social affairs department)

There have been a series of incidents involving private arrest-style youtubers. Last November, a man was arrested on suspicion of defamation after he exposed an innocent woman online whom he deemed to be reselling tickets at a high price. In the same month, a famous male YouTuber was arrested on suspicion of violating the Methamphetamine Control Law.

“Private arrest-type YouTubers often rely on online information, and their evidence is often weak. Many criticize their actions as excessive, as innocent individuals are exposed, saying ‘it’s going too far.’ In the first place, the authority to make an arrest is generally limited to police officers and prosecutors.

Even if driven by a sense of justice, the actions of private arrest-type YouTubers can be considered excessive. The videos they publish become a digital tattoo and are not easily erased. There is a risk of continuously exposing the faces of innocent people under the guise of ‘private arrest.'” (Same source)

The extreme actions of private arrest-type YouTubers are becoming a social issue, and the police are strengthening enforcement measures.