Japan woman arrested in sign-language swindle

Tokyo, Feb 14: A woman suspected of using her sign-language skills to swindle hearing-impaired people out of 18 million dollars in a bogus investment scheme was arrested today, Tokyo police said.

Police said they arrested 55-year old Yoko Kobayashi along with two others. The three are suspected of targeting 250 hearing-impaired people between 2000 and 2005, Kyodo news agency said. Kobayashi is suspected of using much of the money to repay her debts, media said.

The swindlers told their victims in sign language that they would receive higher rates of interest on their money than they would get from banks, and that they could get their principal back at any time, Kyodo said.

Reuters