A woman in her 50s from Aomori Prefecture has reported to the police that she fell victim to a romance scam facilitated via TikTok, resulting in a loss of 36 million yen. This case was reported by the Hachinohe police on the 20th, highlighting an alarming trend of social media platforms being used for such deceptive practices. The victim initially engaged with a user named 'Kenta Kobayashi' through direct messages on TikTok, which led her to communicate further on LINE, a popular messaging app in Japan.

As their interactions progressed, Kobayashi gained the woman's trust and proposed a romantic relationship that included promises of marriage and a joint future funded through stock investments. The victim was convinced to transfer funds totaling 4.23 million yen to specified accounts over the course of three weeks, with an additional lump sum of 31.83 million yen handed over to a man who visited her home. Despite being shown purported profits on the investment site, ongoing requests for more cash raised suspicions, ultimately leading the victim to consult friends and report the incident to the authorities.

According to the Aomori Prefectural Police's investigative unit, most social media scams reported in the region have been associated with platforms like Instagram and Facebook; however, TikTok has recently become a notable venue for similar fraudulent activities. This case not only exemplifies the potential dangers associated with social media interactions but also raises awareness about the need for vigilance against online scams, particularly as they leverage romantic and financial promises to exploit individuals.