The former president of a company operating wedding venues in Kurume City and four others have been arrested on suspicion of fraudulently receiving over ¥20 million in COVID-19 relief subsidies. Police suspect the company repeatedly engaged in fraudulent claims, as it had received a total of ¥1 billion in subsidies over three years during the pandemic.
The arrested individuals include the former president of Arcadia, a Kurume-based company, and a former director. Investigators allege that in December 2022, the five individuals inflated the number of furlough days for 97 out of 104 employees when applying for Japan’s Employment Adjustment Subsidy, fraudulently obtaining approximately ¥22 million.
Authorities are now examining whether similar fraudulent claims were made throughout the three-year period. Police have not disclosed the suspects’ statements due to the ongoing investigation. Cases of COVID-19 subsidy fraud have been increasing nationwide, prompting the Fukuoka Labor Bureau to strengthen countermeasures, including publicizing the names of businesses involved. Source: NHK
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