The number two member of the malicious remodeling group “Shimizu-kai,” “making 10 billion in profits,” by inciting anxiety that “the roof is broken.

A tall man came out of the police station. Without showing any sign of offence, he looked down at the press, including the photographer for this magazine.

By April 1, the Anti-Gang Division of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department had arrested three men, including Seiya Nishimura, 31, of Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture, of unknown occupation, on suspicion of violating the Construction Business Law (unlicensed business). The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has not yet disclosed the arraignment of Nishimura and the other suspects.

According to the police, the suspects are the number two of “Shimizu-kai,” a malicious remodeling group chaired by Kenko Shimizu (49, arrested for violating the Construction Industry Law), who calls himself “Super Salaryman” on social networking sites. According to the police, between September and November 2011, Shimizu and others contracted with four men and women in their 60s to 80s living in Tokyo, Chiba, and Kanagawa for over 5 million yen to repair roofs. They are alleged to have undertaken the work without a permit.

Under the Construction Business Law, a contractor must obtain a permit from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism or the prefectural government when undertaking work for more than 5 million yen. In the Shimizu-kai, which was working without a permit, Nishimura is the actual number two, known as the ‘managing director.

Shimizu, the head of the “Shimizu-kai,” has been posting on his social networking site about his lavish lifestyle. He showed off his luxurious watch in front of a stack of bills, took a dip in the pool in front of a table full of breakfast, and said, “Good morning, Okinawa is sunny today!　It’s sunny in Okinawa today,” he said. …… It seems that he was trying to attract employees by showing how well he was doing.

We’ll be right with you.

Shimizu-kai” had a staff of up to 150 people. According to the police, the company is said to have signed more than 800 contracts in the five years since February 2007 and made approximately 10 billion yen in profits. The suspects’ modus operandi was as follows: “First, they would suddenly visit the target’s house.

First, they would suddenly visit the target’s house and tell the residents that they were working nearby and saw that the roof was broken,” the suspects said. They would say, ‘Don’t worry, we’ll take care of it right away. We’ll take care of it right away,'” he would politely explain the details of the work and prepare an expensive estimate. It is believed that about a quarter of the sales, which were estimated to be over 10 billion yen, went to Nishimura and other executives.

Former Kanagawa Prefectural Police detective and crime journalist Taihei Ogawa sounded the alarm.

Many of the victims of malicious remodeling companies are elderly people. When they are told, ‘Your roof is broken,’ they tend to believe it because they cannot climb up the ladder by themselves. The scammers say, ‘If you don’t do anything, the roof will be half destroyed. If you leave it unattended, you will be in trouble.’ They exploit the psychology of the elderly, incite anxiety, and charge high prices.

What is important is not to immediately sign a contract even if a contractor invites you to repair your house and gives you a written estimate. Do not simply believe the word of a company you have not asked for. If possible, ask a friend of the builder to give you another estimate. You will see how high the scammer is charging you. Even if you don’t know any contractors, tell them that you will consult with your family before making a decision, and don’t make a decision on your own.

The “Shimizu-kai” executives are alleged to have made money through fraudulent stories and led a lavish lifestyle. The police are investigating the group as an organized crime syndicate.