Police in Japan believe so-called tokuryu -- anonymous, transient criminal groups -- are linked to international scams targeting Japanese people.
Tokuryu are believed to recruit young people and others mainly online, sending them to overseas bases to take part in the scams and sharing in the illicit profits.
Investigative sources say Chinese crime syndicates are also likely involved, operating from bases in Southeast Asia. They say Japanese and other recruits are instructed to make scam phone calls.
In May, 29 Japanese nationals were detained in a single raid in Cambodia. From last year through October, 104 Japanese were identified overseas as suspects in scam cases -- 61 in Cambodia, 22 in the Philippines and eight in Thailand.
Tokuryu keep their core members anonymous, and the people carrying out the crimes change constantly.
Japanese police are working to crack down on higher-ranked members, including those involved in recruitment. They are stepping up investigations to identify the core figures.

Quiz 1:
Who or what are "tokuryu" as mentioned in the article?
A. Local Japanese criminal groups
B. Anonymous, transient criminal groups, mainly recruiting online and operating overseas
C. Chinese crime syndicates
D. Scams targeting Japanese people

Quiz 2:
Where are Japanese and other recruits instructed to make scam phone calls according to investigative sources?
A. China
B. Southeast Asia
C. Japan
D. Philippines

Quiz 3:
Which of the following countries has seen the highest number of Japanese suspects identified in scam cases as of October 2024, according to the article?
A. Cambodia
B. The Philippines
C. Thailand
D. Japan