Man arrested for fraud after buying cigarettes using imitation “money for the afterlife”

Man arrested for fraud after buying cigarettes using imitation “money for the afterlife”

Uchikabi,” imitation money that is places at tombs and shrines for use by the deceased.


April 15, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

Ururma Police arrested a 22-year-old unemployed man with no fixed address for fraud and traffic violations (driving without a license) after the man used “Uchikabi,” imitation paper money placed at tombs and shrines for ancestors to use in the afterlife, resembling a 10,000 yen bill, to buy cigarettes at a convenience store, receiving 9,510 yen in change.

The man has admitted to the charge of driving without a license, but is contesting the charge of fraud, apparently stating, “I thought it was real money. I thought you could use it.”

The arrest was made at 8:10 p.m. on March 5, for the suspicion of driving without a license to a convenience store, and attempting to purchase cigarettes with an uchikabi note resembling a 10,000 yen bill, fraudulently receiving 9,510 yen in change. The store employee thought the bill was a bit odd at the time, but since there were other customers waiting they did not confirm if it was “paper money.” After realizing it was uchikabi after, they dialed 110.

(English translation by T&CT and Sam Grieb)

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