Last November, two Liberian Nationals were arrested in connection with the theft of 34 million yen from a man at a hotel in Chuo Ward, Tokyo. The suspects, including James Lee Eff (46) and Sandiman Joseph Kamara, are accused of pretending to engage in a gold grain trade with the victim, a pawnshop dealer.
The suspects reportedly wrapped the victim’s cash in newspaper, then “accidently” scattered what they claimed were gold grains. While the victim was distracted gathering the grains the suspects switched the wrapped cash for counterfeit money.
The victim soon realized that the gold grains were fake and that his cash had been replaced. He alerted the authorities by calling police. The two men have denied the charges when questioned.