Crime Tokuryū crime groups surpass yakuza in arrests

[thomas]

According to the NPA, more than 10,000 individuals were arrested last year for crimes tied to "anonymous and fluid criminal groups," or tokuryū, including fraud schemes and illicit part-time jobs.

The NPA coined the term tokuryū (特流), referring to a new criminal network outside traditional yakuza structures. These groups are led by anonymous organizers who recruit perpetrators via social media, concealing their direct ties to illegal activities. Tokuryū groups are heavily involved in fraud, online scams, host club-related crimes, and a wave of yamibaito robberies that plagued the Tokyo metropolitan area last year.

Out of 10,105 individuals arrested, 2,655 were for fraud, 991 for theft, 917 for drug-related offenses, 348 for robbery and 292 for violations of the adult entertainment business act. Among those arrested, 1,011 were ringleaders or individuals who gave instructions. About 90% were perpetrators, including people who received defrauded money, and around 40% became involved in the crimes through recruitment via social media. Meanwhile, the NPA said that the arrests of traditional organized crime group members totaled 8,249 last year, a fall of 1,361 on the previous year, marking the lowest number recorded. As the power of organized crime groups continues to decline, the number of full members as of the end of 2024 was 9,900, down 500 from the previous year. If so-called quasi-members are included, the total was 18,800 — a decrease of 1,600, marking the first time the number has fallen below 20,000 members.

New ‘tokuryū’ crime groups outpace yakuza in arrests

The term was coined by the National Police Agency to describe a new form of criminal group that has emerged as an alternative to traditional yakuza organizations.

www.japantimes.co.jp

Tokuryū, the shadowy criminal groups taking over from yakuza in Japan

Organised in a deliberately loose fashion, tokuryū pose fresh problems for police, as years of crackdowns see the appeal of a yakuza life fade

www.theguardian.com