THAILAND (TR) – On the night September 9, a 36-year-old Japanese male fraud suspect expressed irritation after arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok for deportation to Japan on suspicion of defrauding COVID-19 enterprise continuity subsidies 4 years in the past.
Yuki Yagi had spent a number of years on the run, throughout which period he stole a police automobile to evade seize. He was arrested by Japanese authorities on September 10.
As a media swarm surrounded Yagi on the airport earlier than his deportation, journalist Michio Sugi requested, “Do you admit to the fraud fees? Yagi-san, are you able to flip your head?”
Yagi didn’t reply to the query.
Enterprise continuity subsidies
In response to the police, Yagi is suspected of submitting a false utility to defraud 1 million yen in COVID-19 enterprise continuity subsidies in Might 2020. He then fled Japan.
“Why did you run away a yr in the past?” Sugi continued his questioning, referring to his detainment for immigration violations final yr. “Is there one thing you wish to say? Is there something you wish to say to the digital camera?”
Yagi then cursed and headbutted the digital camera.
“That’s harmful,” Sugi mentioned, “so don’t headbutt.”
Daring escape
In September 2023, Yagi was detained at an immigration facility in Bangkok on suspicion of unlawful overstaying of his visa. Nevertheless, whereas he was detained, he stole a police automobile and escaped.
After abandoning the police automobile, Yagi fled to Pattaya, about 140 kilometers from Bangkok, utilizing a “tuk-tuk,” a three-wheeled taxi widespread in Thailand. He then switched to a taxi.
Native authorities subsequently arrested him at a lodge and sentenced to 11 months in jail for escape and different fees.
Reporter Koichi Hirayama mentioned final yr, “The police automobile that the Japanese man stole nonetheless bears the scars from when it hit the gate through the escape.”
Kansai Worldwide Airport
Yagi was deported from Thailand on the evening of the September 9. He was arrested on the aircraft throughout his switch and arrived in Japan the next morning.
A reporter mentioned from Kansai Worldwide Airport, “Suspect Yuki Yagi seems surrounded by investigators from the Osaka Prefectural Police.”
In response to police questioning, he admitted to the allegations, saying, “I bear in mind defrauding the enterprise continuity subsidy.”
A complete of 11 million yen in enterprise continuity subsidies had been deposited into an account believed to be managed by Yagi. Police are investigating the likelihood that he repeatedly acquired the subsidies fraudulently.
