Don't write homecoming/travel information on SNS A series of high-value theft cases in Sapporo

In October and November 2022, there was a series of high-value thefts targeting homes in Sapporo City, and another thief group was arrested for being involved in each case. In addition, interviews with investigative officials revealed that there was a suspicion that he was targeting the house when he was away.

Experts are calling for taking measures such as setting the lights on at night when leaving home during the year-end and New Year holidays, and sending messages on SNS after returning from travel destinations.

In October 2022, two acquaintances and others were arrested for breaking into a room in an apartment housed by a woman in her 20s in Chuo-ku, Sapporo, and stealing approximately 13 million yen in cash.

The victim woman wrote on Instagram that she would be away for a few days on a trip, and police are investigating that the two read this post and stole it.

Also, in November, a company executive living in an apartment in Chuo-ku, Sapporo, was burglarized while he was out eating, and brand-name wallets and bags worth approximately 750,000 yen were stolen.

According to investigative sources, the defendants who were arrested and indicted in this case did not know the victim and identified the apartment where they lived from photos of cars and other items posted on SNS.

And on the day of the incident, after confirming that he was at the restaurant by posting on SNS, he broke into the house when he was away.

Checking Instagram posts Identifying rooms with the same pet

According to investigative sources, in the November incident, the defendants heard rumors about the victim's financial situation and checked Instagram posts.

Then, based on the posted photos of cars and parking lots, I was able to guess which apartment I was living in.

At first, I didn't know the room number, but I looked into each room from the balcony and found the same pet that was posted on SNS, and identified the victim's room. about it.

Expert ``Take measures to make it look like you are at home after the fact''

SNS such as Twitter and Instagram are full of posts that indicate that people are away from home, such as "traveling" or "moving".

In addition, there are also cases where personal information is bought and sold as there are users who call themselves "specific shops" and find their addresses from photos posted on SNS.

According to the police, with the spread of SNS, there has been a series of incidents of thefts in various places. Even if you post something like that, it will be obvious that you live in the neighborhood.Especially when you are away on a trip, it is better to send 'I've been there' after you return home."

In addition, she said, ``If you are away from home or on a trip during the year-end and New Year holidays, you can use a timer for security to turn on the lights at night, stop delivering newspapers, and stay at home. I want you to take measures to make it visible," he said.