Japan — A close Associate of President Joseph Baokai, identified as Joe Kpoto, has been arrested in Japan for allegedly scamming a Japanese businessman out of more than $83,000 using fake gold.
Kpoto has been seen in photos with almost every prominent Liberian, including President Boakai and former Presidents George Weah and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
However, his ties with President Boakai has been noticeable based on tons of photos the pair are seen him.
He is said to be crossing Investment deals for the Boakai Government since it’s inception. DN News has not independently verified this information.
According to the Japan Times, Kpoto allegedly curent out the act last year. After leaving Japan following the alleged scam, Kpoto returned this week and was arrested.
The report added that Kpoto, British Citizen with a Liberian Background, is accused of carrying out the scheme on October 25, 2023, at a restaurant in Tokyo’s Chiyoda Ward. He reportedly posed as a business consultant in a meeting with a 62-year-old Japanese executive, who had been approached by a broker interested in buying about 1 kilogram of gold grains.
The victim was asked to bring ¥13 million in cash to the meeting. When the executive handed over the money in a paper bag, Kpoto allegedly pretended to count it under the table but swapped the cash with notepads disguised as bundles of banknotes. He then sealed the bag, making it difficult for the victim to notice the switch.
After the meeting, the executive had the supposed gold appraised, only to find it was actually copper coated with gold paint. He rushed back to the restaurant, but Kpoto had already fled.
Upon checking the paper bag, the executive found only notepads inside.
Kpoto left Japan the day after the incident but was caught at Haneda Airport when he returned this week. Police are also searching for another foreign national who was reportedly involved in the transaction, the Japan Times News Daily reports!
The Government of Liberia has not commented on Kpoto’s arrest but this is a replay of the Weah regime when Sheikh Bassirou Kante, the Liberian businessman, and philanthropist was arrested in the United States with a Diplomatic Passport.
Kante was arrested for money laundering, but he would later reached a deal to plea bargain U.S. authorities wherein he would name Liberian officials who aided him in his clandestine deals.
Kante was a close associate of former Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor.
