Japanese man arrested for exploiting food delivery app to get over 1,000 free meals

The Art of the Free Lunch: Japanese Man's Two-Year Food Heist Uncovered

In a tale that blurs the lines between ingenuity and outright fraud, a 38-year-old resident of Nagoya, Japan, has been apprehended for orchestrating a remarkable two-year scheme that allowed him to feast on over 1,000 free meals, costing a food delivery service an estimated 3.7 million yen (approximately $24,000 USD).

Takayuki Higashimoto masterfully exploited a loophole in the refund system of Demae-can, a popular food delivery application. His elaborate deception involved ordering a vast array of food, receiving it, and then lodging complaints with customer support claiming the order never arrived. This seemingly simple ruse, consistently applied, led to full reimbursements, essentially allowing him to dine for free, repeatedly.

A Masterclass in Deception: Crafting a Digital Ghost Army

The sheer scale of Higashimoto's operation points to a meticulous and patient mind. To maintain his facade and avoid detection, he ingeniously created 124 distinct fake accounts. These were not mere throwaway profiles; each was equipped with fabricated names and addresses, meticulously crafted to appear legitimate. The backbone of this digital army was a steady supply of prepaid SIM cards, which he would swiftly discard after their initial use, further obscuring his digital footprint.

This sophisticated approach allowed him to operate undetected for an extended period. The Demae-can platform, at the time, lacked robust identity verification measures, and its customer support system was evidently programmed to err on the side of caution, often granting refunds in disputed cases without extensive investigation. It was a system ripe for exploitation by someone with enough cunning and persistence.

The Sweet Taste of Demise: A Frozen Treat Seals His Fate

Every grand scheme eventually faces its Waterloo, and for Higashimoto, it arrived in the form of an ice cream order. On July 30th, he initiated his standard fraudulent request after ordering a selection of treats, including ice cream, bento boxes, and chicken steaks. He followed his tried-and-true method, complaining about non-delivery and expecting another automatic refund of 16,000 yen (about $105 USD).

However, this particular order, perhaps due to its timing or a subtle shift in Demae-can's monitoring algorithms, triggered an alert. The company's fraud detection systems finally flagged the suspicious activity, bringing Higashimoto's elaborate charade to a crashing halt. The very convenience that facilitated his free meals ultimately led to his downfall.

A Confession and a Company's Promise

Upon his arrest, Higashimoto reportedly confessed to his actions, admitting, "I just tried this trick at first. I couldn't stop after I started reaping the rewards of my fraud." His words reveal a descent into a cycle of deception, where the initial success emboldened him to continue, a common psychological trap in such scenarios.

The incident has prompted Demae-can to acknowledge the vulnerabilities in its system. The company has vowed to implement stricter user verification processes and introduce advanced alert systems to detect and prevent fraudulent transactions. This unfortunate episode serves as a stark reminder to online platforms about the constant need to adapt and fortify their security against evolving forms of digital malfeasance.

Global Echoes of Exploitation

Higashimoto's case is far from an isolated incident. Similar elaborate scams have emerged worldwide. For instance, last year in China, three individuals sustained themselves for a month by employing the exact same refund fraud tactic. These stories highlight a global trend where resourceful, albeit unethical, individuals leverage technological gaps for personal gain, often at the expense of businesses.

Meanwhile, the tech world continues its relentless pace. In a curious parallel, a Tokyo-based startup is now offering at-home "ghost screenings" for approximately $1,000, a service that, while entirely legitimate, amusingly touches upon the theme of the unseen or unverified, a far cry from the tangible, food-based exploits of our Nagoya-based protagonist.

Japanese netizens, with a mix of exasperation and grudging admiration, have reportedly commented, "He's quite smart. I have to admit he diligently created so many accounts and manipulated the delivery platform." This sentiment encapsulates the public's fascination with audacious, albeit illegal, acts of cleverness.