The trial of a university student accused of fraud after he tried to sell cell phones under a false name to counter online gambling debts opened in the Sapporo District Court on Tuesday.
The 23-year-old student, whose name has been withheld, reportedly became hooked on illegal gambling at an online casino as he tried to make money for an overseas trip. He borrowed money and in just a short time, he was 2 million yen in debt. After visiting an underground site to seek help, he allegedly formed contracts for cell phones in other peoples' names. He was subsequently arrested and charged with fraud.
"I had finished looking for a job and didn't have any goals. I wanted to break free," the student told the court on Tuesday as his parents looked on. Now, however, the student has thrown away his chance to enter the company he was scheduled to join. He is now being treated as having taken a leave of absence from university.
The voice of the case's presiding judge, Makoto Iguchi, echoed though the courtroom as he harshly questioned the student: "What have you been studying?"
The student had made a living off his nighttime job and 10,000 yen that was being sent to him from his parents each month. He started gambling on an online casino in August last year, while he was a fourth-year student.
The use of online casinos, many of which are based in countries where gambling is allowed, is illegal in Japan, but there are many sites in Japanese.
"I looked at an introduction site, and thought that if I played steadily then I would make money," the student said.
In January this year, the student accessed a Web site titled "Yami no Shokugyo Anteisho" (underground employment agency), according to the indictment. A person on the site going by the name of Matsudaira advertised to "buy cell phones in other people's names for 5,000 yen apiece.
In order to pay back his debts, the student reportedly decided to carry out the crime and was mailed a fake driver's license with someone else's name and his photo on it.
On Feb. 2 the student presented the license at an electronics store in Sapporo's Chuo-ku and illegally formed contracts for two cell phones, the court heard. When he sent them to "Matsudaira," he was told, "You'll get your payment from the third phone."
In response, the student tried to obtain another phone at a store in Sapporo's Kita-ku, but he was caught out and didn't end up receiving it.
Prosecutors in the case are demanding that the student be jailed for two years over the crime, saying there is a high possibility the mobiles were being used for phone-based fraud. The identity of the person named "Matsudaira" remains a mystery.
A ruling on the case is expected on May 23. (Mainichi)
