Japan robbery ring hid behind messaging apps, disposable crooks

Attention turns to identifying mastermind as suspects arrive from Philippines

20230207N police at crime scene white van KYODO

Police investigate the scene of a robbery-homicide in metropolitan Tokyo Jan. 23. © Kyodo

YUICHI SAKAGUCHI, Nikkei senior staff writer

TOKYO -- A monthslong string of violent robberies across Japan has led investigators to the Philippines from the dark world of online criminal recruitment, a blind spot for law enforcement.

The Philippines on Tuesday deported two of four Japanese men suspected of remotely running the robberies, one of which resulted in the death of a 90-year-old woman. The pair were detained upon arriving in Japan, and the other two are expected to be deported soon.

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