Japanese receptionist & uni student, 22, allegedly stole credit cards at sports facility, spent over S$8,000

A fourth-year Keio University student who worked part-time as a receptionist at a sports facility in Tokyo allegedly stole a credit card from a locker room, with police estimating losses totalling 1 million yen (S$8,018).

On Aug. 16, 2026, 22-year-old Karen Shinzawa was arrested after she was suspected of using a master key that was at the reception desk to commit the crimes.

According to Fuji News Network (FNN), she used the key to open lockers in the sports facility located in Hiroo, Shibuya Ward, one of the most upscale residential districts in the capital.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department is investigating whether she committed other crimes.

Used card to purchase 2 cosmetic products

According to Yahoo Japan, Shinzawa allegedly stole the credit card from a female customer in her 50s in April.

Shinzawa then used the card to fraudulently purchase two cosmetic products worth a total of 14,000 yen (S$112).

It appears that Shinzawa entered Keio University's Faculty of Policy Management in 2023 and served as the manager of the university's ski club, reported Yahoo Japan.

According to a self-introduction article published on the ski club's Instagram Threads account, Shinzawa was born in New York, graduated from high school in California and returned to Japan in 2022.

Partially denied charges

According to FNN, Shinzawa was believed to have been working at the facility as a part-time receptionist for several years.

The master key was reportedly accessible to all employees.

When questioned by police, Shinzawa partially denied the charges, stating, "I used it impulsively because I wanted the product," and "I picked it up in the changing room."

Authorities confirmed that other users of the sports facility also suffered losses totalling 1 million yen (S$8,018) and plan to pursue further charges.