"Gave in to the Momentary Temptation": Japanese Police Official Dismissed After Stealing 100 Million Won Next to Body

Stole Cash While Investigating Suspicious Death Scene

Admitted, "I Had Debts Hidden From My Family"

A senior Japanese police officer has been indicted and dismissed for stealing cash found at the scene of a death investigation.

On May 15, the Asahi Shimbun reported, "The Osaka Prefectural Police have disciplined and dismissed Koto Shin (52), a superintendent affiliated with the Criminal Investigation Division of Minamisakai Police Station in Sakai City, on charges of stealing approximately 10.11 million yen (about 9,564,000 won) found at a death investigation scene."

The Osaka Prefectural Police disciplined and dismissed Koto Shin (52), a superintendent affiliated with the Criminal Investigation Division of Minamisakai Police Station, on charges of stealing cash found at a death investigation scene. Osaka News YouTube

Koto served as the head of the Violent Crimes Unit, which handles murder cases, and repeatedly responded to scenes of unnatural deaths in a supervisory role.

In March of this year, he was arrested and later indicted on charges of misappropriating lost property after taking 10.11 million yen in cash from the scene where the body of a man in his seventies was found in an apartment in Minami Ward.

On the day of the incident, while investigating the scene with another police officer, Koto discovered cash covered with cloth on top of a safe. The investigation found that while his colleague temporarily left the area to transfer evidence, Koto put the cash into his own bag and took it.

After his arrest, Koto admitted to the charges during questioning, reportedly stating, "I gave in to temptation in the moment."

Koto also explained, "I was hiding several million yen in debt from my family." It is known that these debts were incurred from purchasing a used car, playing golf, and dining at restaurants.

He stated, "My crime has caused great harm and betrayal," adding, "I will always live with a sense of remorse so that I never again lose others' trust."

The police recovered the cash and returned it to the bereaved family.

The Osaka Prefectural Police revealed that they had launched an investigation in June last year after receiving a tip-off that "Koto was stealing cash at a death investigation scene," and considered the possibility of repeated offenses. However, only this single case was confirmed through the investigation.

Koto stated, "I did not do this at any other location." According to the newspaper, interviews with his colleagues produced no eyewitness testimony nor any reports of damage.

Chief Inspector Kazuyuki Nishikawa, head of the Internal Affairs Division, said, "This was an outrageous act for a police officer, and we dealt with it strictly," adding, "We will thoroughly improve police training and guidance to prevent recurrence in the future."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.