Kumamoto quake victims hit by crimes

A special unit comprising over 300 police officers has been dispatched to patrol disaster-stricken areas after suspicious individuals were spotted at damaged houses and shelters.

The prefectural police are installing more security cameras.

A woman in her 70s who returned to her destroyed home in the town of Hikawa after taking shelter following the earthquake found that the window frames had been deliberately removed.

"I wonder if someone entered my house aiming to steal something valuable," she said.

"Some people in the neighborhood set up tents and take care of their homes to prevent burglars from entering."

In the city of Kamiamakusa, an outdoor unit of an air conditioner was stolen from the home of a 44-year-old male company employee who was sheltering in his car.

On Saturday, the prefectural police arrested a 47-year-old man on suspicion of theft.

The suspect said that he was short of money and stole the air conditioner unit to sell it, according to people familiar with the police investigation.

Local governments affected by the earthquake have received several reports of suspicious individuals posing as water suppliers or psychological counsellors visiting homes and shelters.

A 48-year-old female company employee in Hikawa was visited by a man and a woman claiming to be employees of a water heater company. After a male relative responded, they left.

"The woman was wearing heavy makeup and didn't look like a water heater supplier," she said.

"I can't forgive them if it was a fraudulent scheme."

After twin major earthquakes rattled Kumamoto a decade ago, there was a surge in "inspection business" scams in which residents were persuaded to sign contracts for costly repairs to damaged homes.

Following the latest quake, the Consumer Affairs Agency has received inquiries from people in affected areas about housing repair issues and is urging people to contact the consumer hotline if they feel something is wrong.