Thousand of embarrassed would-be gigolos who fell victim to a job offer scam have failed to file complaints with Japanese police, despite losing an estimated 300 million yen ($20 million) to the fraudsters.
More than 10,000 men replied to a job advertisement offering pay of 30,000 yen for a date with a 'quality woman' and 70,000 yen for spending the night with her.
The adverts were placed in adult magazines, according to the Mainichi newspaper, and informed applicants that 'dating rich, high-class women is your job'. Operating under a series of names, including Paradise, Big Wave and Crystal, the company invited applicants to call the company, at which point they were asked to pay a registration fee of 21,800 yen. In return, they were sent photos of 10 women.
For a further 12,000 yen 'introduction fee,' as well as a full personal resume, the company offered to introduce three women that the men chose.
The introductions failed to materialise and - in response to a mere six complaints to police - an investigation revealed that the photos posted to the applicants had been cut out of magazines or were of telephone operators at the company.
Police have arrested Noriyuki Sato, from Shizuoka prefecture, and two other employees of the company on suspicion of fraud.