Robbery cases across Tokyo linked to dark part-time job organization

Police are investigating whether there is a connection between seven separate robberies in the Kanto region over the past month. Homes in Saitama and Tokyo prefectures and shops in Kanagawa and Chiba prefectures have been targeted in violent attacks by small groups. They break in and threaten residents or staff, then escape with money or belongings.

Violent crime threatens Tokyo and beyond

Police suspect the robbers may have been recruited for so-called “yami baito” (dark part-time jobs). They attacked and robbed an elderly couple in Tokorozawa City, Saitama Prefecture, and attacked a woman in her 60s in Kokubunji City, Tokyo, causing her serious injuries.

Yesterday, National Police Agency Criminal Bureau Chief Shigeyuki Tani spoke of the seriousness of the situation, noting that recent criminal incidents have “seriously affected the public’s sense of security.” He directed the police to focus not only on the perpetrators but also on those behind the crimes.

The cases that triggered the backlash occurred between September 18 and October 1, when robbers broke into four homes in Tokyo and Saitama Prefecture, attacking victims with blunt objects and stealing cash.

In other incidents, pawnshops in Kanagawa and Chiba prefectures were targeted, resulting in injuries to employees. Suspects arrested in these cases admitted to applying for “yami baito” and receiving instructions through highly anonymous messaging applications.

Fukuoka Prefecture police arrested a suspect wanted for his role in the Tokorozawa robbery, complicating the investigation.

What is Yami Baito?

The term “yami baito” refers to a growing trend in Japan of recruiting workers through online platforms or social media to carry out illegal activities under the guise of working. Such jobs often offer high wages and quick cash, attracting young people, students or people facing financial hardship. The work included theft, fraud, or in this case, organized robbery.

As online recruitment becomes more sophisticated, it becomes increasingly difficult for authorities to track the organizers and participants of these schemes. The anonymity provided by encrypted communication apps like Telegram and Discord allows criminals to command new recruits remotely, as seen in this recent series of robberies.

The rise of yami baito also poses significant challenges to law enforcement because it can involve individuals with little to no criminal background, making detection and prevention more complex.

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