Key facts
- Hu Shi, a 44-year-old Chinese-born Cypriot, was rearrested in Japan.
- He is suspected of being a senior member of the Prince Holding Group, a major Asian fraud organization.
- Police allege Hu violated immigration law by allowing his residence card to be used illegally.
- Hu and others were previously arrested for submitting a false move-in notification.
- The Prince Holding Group is known to lure victims with fake job offers and force them into criminal operations.
Japanese police rearrested Hu Shi, a 44-year-old Chinese-born Cypriot national, on Sunday on suspicion of violating immigration control laws, including the alleged illegal use of his residence card. Hu is believed to be a senior executive of the Prince Holding Group, described as one of Asia's largest international fraud organizations and subject to sanctions by U.S. and British authorities.
Hu and two others were initially arrested last month by Tokyo's Metropolitan Police Department on suspicion of submitting a false move-in notification. On the same day as the rearrest, police also arrested Chen Xiaoguang, a 49-year-old Chinese national living in Tokyo, on suspicion of violating the law. Hu has partially denied the charges, while Chen has denied the allegations.
Investigative sources indicate that Hu holds a five-year residence status as a highly skilled professional and has been traveling to Japan since at least 2023. The police allege that Hu conspired with others to use his residence card on May 28 at the Chuo Ward Office to impersonate him and complete procedures for seal registration. A meeting in Osaka on April 17 reportedly involved discussions about Hu obtaining permanent residency in Japan. A woman received the residence card, and a man carried out the procedures at the ward office. Hu reportedly expressed a desire for safety and security in Japan.
Prince Holding Group is known for luring individuals with fake job offers promising high pay, then confining them and forcing them into cross-border fraud and other criminal activities.