Woman arrested for ¥19 million fraud targeting parent of child with suspected developmental disorder

From Khb TV

June 26 2026

TOKYO – A 57-year-old company employee has been arrested on suspicion of defrauding the parents of a child suspected of having a developmental disorder out of approximately ¥19 million (about US$130,000) by recommending the child study abroad.

The suspect, Nagae Kato (57), is accused of fraudulently obtaining about ¥19 million from the mother of a then-13-year-old girl over a roughly two-year period beginning in 2020, claiming the money was needed to cover the girl’s overseas study expenses and related costs.

According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, Kato issued a false diagnostic certificate stating that the girl had a developmental disorder, despite not being licensed as a physician.

She also allegedly told the mother that “other children with similar concerns have also studied abroad and gone on to succeed.”

After the mother transferred the money for the supposed study-abroad program, she was no longer able to contact Kato, leading to the discovery of the alleged fraud.

Police believe Kato may have used the same scheme to defraud multiple victims of more than ¥50 million in total and are continuing their investigation.