
An unemployed young woman was arrested in Shizuoka Prefecture this week after she tried to pay at a convenience store with an obviously photocopied counterfeit bill. The master criminal’s excuse? “I was in a bind because I didn’t have any money.”
According to a police officer at the Fuji Police Station, the 20-year-old woman went into a Family Mart convenience store to pay for a mail order purchase. Her bill was several thousand yen, but she tried to pay with a 10,000 yen bill and get change.
The problem is that the 10,000 yen bill was clearly a fake. The manager was able to see at a glance that it was simply a photocopy with no hologram or other anti-counterfeit features, and he immediately called the police.
The arrested woman later confessed in her deposition that she decided to try the gambit because she didn’t have any money. No word on whether she actually expected to get away with it.
Source: MSN Sankei News
Image: Wikimedia Commons

Japanese woman seeks justice after buying four million-dollar bills from counterfeiters
Man counterfeits 50,000 yen using only a 100-yen shop, a convenience store, and a Japanese custom
Osaka woman gives foreigner Uber Eats worker fake money, thought he wouldn’t know difference
Let this be a reminder to everyone: There’s no such thing as easy money!
Aichi man arrested for stealing 70,000 yen in toy money from safe
A real-world Pokémon Poké Ball hotel is opening in Japan at a still-secret location [Video]
Tamagotchi evolves into a ring for its 30th anniversary, preorders now open
Family Mart releases Famima convenience store products nationwide, but which ones are worth buying?
Japan’s most popular curry rice restaurant chain, Coco Ichibanya, might be for sale
Finally! Japan’s big three convenience store chains announce rice ball price reductions
One Piece Day 2026 brings new art, music, and new cast announcements
Japan Railways announces unlimited-ride train pass for fall travel
The mystery of Port Store, the Japanese convenience store that looks like a Lawson rip-off
Lawson convenience store opens its first mobile, trailer-style location in Japan
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime calendars and diary planners for 2027
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
Solo travel in Japan: Hidden beer garden in Tokyo is a haven for single visitors
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
Farewell Final Ceremony announced for Tokyo’s life-size Gundam statue, will stream live
Hobonichi unveils new 2027 planners, diaries and stationery with One Piece, Suica Penguin, Hello Kitty and a must-buy Mini Techo
Family Mart releases new Human Made Cup Noodle in Japan, with freebies for Nigo fans
Hikaru Utada sings new song in Shinkansen commercial for Japan’s Supreme Class cabins
Mister Donut releases new doughnuts that look and taste like Japanese sweet potatoes
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Man in Tokyo tries to pay for sex with toy check
Pensioner pretends to be deceived by telephone fraud, helps catch criminals
Yamanashi man arrested for making fake money and tricking people into picking it up
Naked woman runs through one of Tokyo’s busiest train stations, police say she’s not a criminal
Man in Japan orders female store clerk to prostrate herself over misunderstanding with his change
Two Japanese arrested, suspected of importing forged money, sharing with friends
Mongolian woman arrested on charges of pickpocketing foreign tourist at Tokyo’s most famous temple
Woman Arrested for Attempting to Rob Convenience Store, Attempt Was So Bad She May Get Off
Married Japanese man must pay 4.6 million yen after faking being single and impregnating partner
Nagoya man goes to bars, shows everyone 20 million yen; you’ll totally believe what happens next
Japanese teen offers to catch purse snatcher for elderly woman, but is actually helping rob her
Woman stabbed to death on Tokyo street while live streaming
Japanese Man Arrested for Molesting Woman After Being Invited to do so Online
Anime fan in Japan arrested for ordering and cancelling over 4.3 billion yen in anime merch