Thieves with Liberian Nationality Arrested for Switching 34 Million Yen with Counterfeit Bills

The two men who emerged from the police station presented contrasting appearances. One stared intently at the press without showing any remorse. The other, slumped in the backseat of a police transport vehicle, had his face down and appeared utterly dejected.

By September 9, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police’s Investigation Division 3 had arrested two suspects of Liberian nationality: James Lee F (46), who is currently homeless and has an unspecified occupation, and Sandyman Joseph Kamara (43), who resides in Koshigaya, Saitama Prefecture and also has an unspecified occupation. They are accused of deceiving a man who runs a second-hand goods business by pretending to negotiate a deal for “gold grains.” Our magazine’s photographer captured their transfer to the police, revealing the stark contrasts in their expressions. James appeared despondent, while Sandyman looked back at the camera with a cold gaze.

“The incident for which they were arrested occurred on November 16 last year. Around 2 PM, James and the others entered into negotiations with a second-hand goods dealer, Mr. A, in a room at a business hotel in Chuo Ward, Tokyo. The suspects had approached Mr. A through a broker, offering to sell him approximately 5 kg of ‘gold grains.’

Mr. A had prepared about 34 million yen in cash in advance. James wrapped the 34 million yen that Mr. A brought in newspaper, claiming it was ‘for safety, so no one would touch it.’ Immediately after, he pretended to spill the ‘gold grains’ he had brought out onto the floor. While Mr. A and the others were distracted picking up the ‘gold grains,’ they switched the 34 million yen wrapped in newspaper with another item that contained counterfeit bills.” (National Newspaper Social Department Reporter)

 

The Surprising Identity of the “Gold Grains”

Mr. A did not notice that the cash had been switched. Planning to evaluate the “gold grains” before finalizing the transaction, he stored the newspaper wrapped around the counterfeit bills in a safe. He then temporarily left the hotel room for the appraisal.

However, 

“The appraisal revealed that the grains were not gold but copper coated with a thin layer of gold. Mr. A hurried back to the hotel room, only to find that James and the others had escaped with the 34 million yen in cash. What remained was the newspaper wrapped around the counterfeit bills,” said the source.

Mr. A consulted the police. After reviewing security camera footage, they were able to make the arrests. However, the two suspects are reportedly denying their involvement with surprising statements:

“We have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Similar thefts using the same method occurred several times in Tokyo from August last year to June this year, with total damages amounting to approximately 110 million yen. The police are investigating additional crimes and potential accomplices linked to the two suspects.