AI Celebrity Deepfake Scam Suspects Arrested

Jul 16, 2026 | News On Japan

TOKYO - Two Taiwan-born suspects believed to be members of a Taiwanese fraud ring have been arrested on suspicion of using AI-generated videos featuring prominent figures to defraud a woman in her 80s of 17 million yen.

Police arrested 29-year-old Yang Xinyi and an alleged accomplice on July 13 over suspicions that they collected a total of 17 million yen in cash from the woman in 2025.

Investigators believe the group approached the victim with a fraudulent investment opportunity and showed her deepfake videos created with generative artificial intelligence that made it appear as though well-known figures were endorsing the investment.

Yang and the other suspect allegedly served as cash collectors for the scheme. They received detailed instructions through social media from another person, including messages stating, "About 85 years old. Female. It seems she has a lot of money in her wallet," "Do not forget to erase the recording device," and "How much did you receive?"

Both suspects have denied the allegations, telling investigators, "We cannot remember anything about this case."

Source: FNN

Japan Confirms Rare Earths in Deep-Sea Mud

Multiple rare earth elements essential for high-tech products have been confirmed in mud extracted from the deep seabed off Minamitorishima, Japan's easternmost island.

Japan Life Expectancy Rises for Both Men and Women

Average life expectancy in Japan rose for both men and women last year for the first time in two years, with Japanese women retaining the world's top ranking for the 41st consecutive year.

'White Taxis' Rampant at Kansai Airport

A 37-year-old Chinese woman has been arrested and referred to prosecutors on suspicion of operating an unlicensed taxi service that transported travelers from Kansai International Airport to a hotel in Kyoto.

JAXA Conducts Epsilon S Engine Firing Test

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency conducted a ground firing test of the second-stage engine for its Epsilon S small solid-fuel rocket at the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture on July 23.

Why Kuwana Reached a Record 40.6 Degrees

Kuwana in Mie Prefecture recorded 40.6 degrees Celsius, the highest temperature anywhere in Japan this year, as a powerful high-pressure system and hot downslope winds combined to produce dangerous heat across a wide area.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Web3 NEWS

Fujitsu’s PHOTON Takes Aim at the Giants of Generative AI

Fujitsu has developed a new artificial intelligence architecture called PHOTON that achieved up to 475 times the processing efficiency of a conventional Transformer model in research tests, raising the possibility of significantly reducing the cost of generative AI while eventually competing with services such as ChatGPT and Claude.

AI Finds Diverse Roles in Relationships

Generative artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming part of everyday life, with people using conversational systems for everything from relationships and parenting to health concerns and online searches.

Generative AI Usage in Japan More Than Doubles to 58.8%

The share of people in Japan using generative artificial intelligence has more than doubled to 58.8%, while more than one in 10 regard the technology as a friend, according to the communications ministry's 2026 white paper.

Yazaki Opens Physical AI Research Hub

Automotive equipment maker Yazaki Corp. has opened a research and development hub in Susono, Shizuoka Prefecture, using advanced "physical AI" technology as it seeks to create factories where people and artificial intelligence work alongside one another.

Yen Plunges to 40-Year Low; MoneySimpler Turns FX Volatility into Steady Passive Income

The Japanese yen is currently trading at a 40-year low, and its continued depreciation has driven up the prices of various imported goods in Japan.

AI Reshapes Japan’s Job Market

Japan’s major companies are showing growing caution toward hiring new graduates as artificial intelligence begins replacing routine work, while survey results suggest that older employees, nonregular workers and even managers could also face mounting pressure by 2030.

Tokyo AI Festival Draws 40,000

More than 40,000 engineers, business leaders and technology enthusiasts gathered at Makuhari Messe in June for AWS Summit Japan 2026, one of Japan’s largest artificial intelligence events, where new systems included an AI platform that has cut the time FC Tokyo staff spend selecting match photographs to roughly one-third of the previous level.

日本人トレーダーの間で高まるプロップトレーディングの台頭

日本は長年にわたり、アジアで最も活発な個人トレーダーコミュニティの一つとして知られてきました。

< 2 3 4 5 >