Police arrested a 39-year old Japanese man for dating 35 women at the same time in a scheme to obtain birthday gifts from them.
A salesman by profession with no permanent address, Takashi Miyagawa sweet-talked the women into a relationship on a false pretense of marriage and disclosed bogus birthdates to get as many birthday presents as possible.
Miyagawa has now been accused of duping his women victims out of 100,000 yen (almost $930) combined through money spent on birthday gifts, clothes, and other things.
Miyagawa met the women while selling hydrogen water shower heads and other products as part of a multi-level marketing, according to Kiro7 News.
One woman said Miyagawa kissed her on the second date. "I told him, 'I don't want to do that unless you're someone who wants to get married and really be with me in the future.' He responded, 'I am serious. I am going to be with you for the rest of my life.'" The Independent reported.
Japanese news station MBS confronted Miyagawa in January this year before criminal charges were lodged.
In videos posted to YouTube last week, he is seen running away from a reporter and a cameraman when trying to be interviewed.
His swindling tactics were exposed when the women formed a "victims' association" and reported Miyagawa to the police in February.
"He's an awful person, but I envy his time-management skills," one of his victims said.
Another said Miyagawa seems like he should be "a better MLM salesman if he is such a smooth talker."
An investigation was ordered into the scheme. The accused love scammer refused to make any comment, saying he would see a lawyer in court.
