According to the Sankei Shimbun, on August 29, Togane City Police said that on social media from April 7 to 25, Tomoko Kawano pretended to be Phoebe Gates, the daughter of billionaire Bill Gates, to trick a man in his 60s living in Fukushima Prefecture. The two met on Facebook, and Kawano wanted to trick the victim out of 3.1 million yen in cash.

Through social media, Kawano told her “prey” that “if you invest $20,000 in my father Bill Gates, you will receive $2 million. If you come to the United States, you can meet me.”

However, the man became suspicious after being repeatedly urged to send money, and he reported it to the police. After investigation, the police discovered Kawano’s social media account that communicated with the victim.

After being arrested and questioned on August 27, Kawano said he had been offered an illegal part-time job. Togane City Police are investigating further who invited Kawano to join the scam.