Burglars breaking into homes where kids have been left alone due to school closures, suspects luring children with the promises of coronavirus cures: These are some of the crimes police are warning against as criminals look to take advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In Aichi Prefecture, a man reportedly broke into a house where a 10-year-old girl was staying by herself in late March. Later the same day, two men burglarized a separate house in the prefecture where only an 11-year-old boy was present, ordering him to “lower his eyes” while they rummaged through the premises, taking cash and an ATM card, according to local media.
In Tokyo, too, reports are emerging of children being targeted by offenders who are exploiting the COVID-19 crisis.