Are Professors Kazumasa Takenaka, Nobutaka Kitajima, and Makoto Koyama Really Recommending Investments? Lawyers Analyze the 'Professor-Assistant' Recruitment Model in LINE Investment Groups

"Is Professor Kazumasa Takenaka's investment group legitimate?"

"I became suspicious after searching for Professor Nobutaka Kitajima."

"I'm seeing profits in Mr. Makoto Koyama's LINE group, but they say I need to pay a guarantee fee to withdraw."

Cases like these—where individuals are invited into LINE investment groups by people claiming to be 'professors' or 'assistants,' and only later search the names after making payments—are being reported in large numbers to the law firm of Tanaka Yoshihiko.

Consultations have confirmed cases where individuals such as Kazumasa Takenaka, Nobutaka Kitajima, Makoto Koyama, Masashi Onishi, Hideki Murakami, Gou Sawada, Shunsuke Tanahashi, Shinji Funakoshi, Kenta Kiso, and Keiichiro Wakahama were introduced as 'professors,' 'instructors,' or 'representatives,' while others like Tomomi Nakamura, Misaki Ono, Mieko Matsumoto, Yumi Sato, Yuka Nagai, and Yuki Kobayashi appeared as 'assistants.'

However, there is no confirmation that these individuals are actually involved in investment solicitation.

Analysis of consultations received by our firm suggests that third parties may be using the names, titles, photos, and profiles of real individuals without authorization, impersonating 'professors' or 'assistants' to gain trust.

This means that not only the victims who made payments, but also the individuals whose identities were misused, could be victims suffering reputational and social harm.

This article analyzes, based on consultations received by the law firm of Tanaka Yoshihiko, the characteristics of 'professor-assistant' type LINE investment groups, common patterns observed after payments, the justifications used for additional payments, and precautions to take when searching names online.

Survey Overview

Surveying Body

Law Firm of Tanaka Yoshihiko

Survey Method

Consultations received by our firm regarding social media-based investment scams, stock investments, FX, cryptocurrency, gold trading, etc., specifically those involving individuals introduced as 'professors,' 'instructors,' 'representatives,' 'presidents,' or 'assistants.'

Main Analysis Items

・Names introduced as professors or instructors

・Names introduced as assistants

・Pathways from social media ads to LINE groups

・Operation methods of investment groups

・Additional payments requested upon withdrawal

・Reasons cited for requesting fees (e.g., guarantee, taxes, commissions)

・Trends among consultants who search names online

Survey Purpose

To provide information enabling individuals who search names or LINE investment groups after making payments to recognize common patterns in their situations, and to raise awareness about the possibility of impersonation using real individuals' or companies' names.

Executive Summary

Analysis of consultations received by the law firm of Tanaka Yoshihiko reveals the following common characteristics in 'professor-assistant' type LINE investment groups:

1. Division of roles between 'professor' and 'assistant'

In many cases, the 'professor' provides investment decisions and trading instructions, while the 'assistant' handles LINE communication, deposit instructions, and responses to inquiries.

2. Recruitment via social media ads to LINE groups

Consultations confirm a pattern where individuals are directed from ads or posts on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, or X to LINE, and then invited into groups.

3. High number of consultants searching names online

After making payments,

searches such as 'Kazumasa Takenaka investment,' 'Nobutaka Kitajima LINE,' 'Makoto Koyama scam,' 'Shunsuke Tanahashi investment group,' 'Kenta Kiso Barclays'

are common, with many reaching out after searching the names of 'professors' or 'assistants.'

4. Possibility of impersonation using real individuals' names

The names appearing in consultations have not been confirmed as actual investment solicitations by the real individuals.

Third parties may be using names, titles, profiles, and photos without authorization.

In such cases, the individuals whose identities are misused may also be victims suffering reputational damage.

5. Common demand for additional payments upon withdrawal

Even when profits are displayed,

consultations report demands for additional payments under reasons such as

guarantee fees, taxes, commissions, authentication fees, credit restoration fees, or account unfreezing fees.

6. Continued requests for additional payments despite assurances

Consultations confirm cases where, even after being told 'this is the last one' or 'you can withdraw immediately after payment,' additional fees are requested under new pretexts.

7. Profit display alone does not indicate safety

Consultations confirm cases where profits are shown on trading screens but withdrawals are not possible, and additional payments are demanded.

Profit display on screen alone cannot confirm safety or actual withdrawal capability.

8. It is crucial to organize information and avoid further payments after initial transfer

When unable to withdraw or being asked for additional fees, it is important not to continue sending money based solely on the other party's explanations, but to organize records such as payment history, LINE conversations, and screenshots of investment sites.

Examples of 'Professor-Assistant' Names Identified in Consultations

In 'professor-assistant' type LINE investment groups, while the names may differ, the recruitment methods and role divisions show commonalities.

Our firm's consultations confirm numerous cases where 'professors,' 'instructors,' or 'representatives' make investment decisions, while 'assistants' handle daily LINE communication and deposit instructions.

Figure 1: Examples of 'Professor-Assistant' Names Identified in Consultations

The names introduced in this article are compiled from consultation data received by the law firm of Tanaka Yoshihiko.

Their inclusion does not indicate that these individuals actually engaged in investment solicitation, nor does it confirm involvement by real individuals with the same names.

Consultation content suggests the possibility of third parties impersonating real individuals by using their names and titles.

It is important to assess the situation holistically, including recruitment methods and withdrawal responses, rather than relying solely on names.

Common Flow from Recruitment to Withdrawal Failure in LINE Investment Groups

Analysis of consultation content reveals many commonalities in the process from recruitment to additional payments and withdrawal failure, regardless of the names used.

Individuals who searched names after making payments should compare this flow with their own experiences.

Figure 2: Flow Experienced by Consultants in 'Professor-Assistant' Type LINE Investment Groups

In many cases, individuals are directed from social media ads or posts to LINE, join investment groups, and then the 'professor' makes investment decisions while the 'assistant' contacts them individually.

Later, profits appear on trading screens, but when attempting withdrawal, additional fees such as guarantee fees or taxes are requested. Even after being told 'this is the last one,' further fees under different pretexts are demanded.

Despite differing names, this common flow has emerged from our firm's consultation analysis.

Analysis of withdrawal fee justifications reveals common patterns

When attempting to withdraw profits