Foreign residents in Japan should be aware of a series of sophisticated cash robberies targeting currency couriers traveling between Japan and Hong Kong, raising concerns about organized crime networks operating across borders. On January 29, a group of five individuals—comprising both Chinese nationals and Japanese citizens—were attacked on a street in Taito Ward, Tokyo, losing over ¥400 million in cash. According to NHK, the victims were in the process of loading the money into a vehicle for transport to Hong Kong when three assailants sprayed them with what appeared to be tear gas before seizing the cash. The group told investigators they had been hired to transport Japanese yen received from a precious metals dealer to Hong Kong for currency exchange, earning several tens of thousands of yen per day for their services. Just hours later, in the early morning of January 30, another incident occurred at Haneda Airport's parking facility. A man in his 50s was attacked with tear gas spray near his vehicle, which contained approximately ¥190 million in a suitcase. Three suspects fled in a white car, though the money remained secure and the victim sustained only minor eye injuries. Police are investigating this as an attempted robbery, according to NHK reports. The situation escalated internationally when, on January 30, a Japanese man was robbed in central Hong Kong of approximately ¥58 million carried in a backpack. Hong Kong police arrested one suspect in connection with the incident and are searching for additional perpetrators. Investigators are examining whether this victim was the same individual targeted at Haneda Airport, suggesting he may have successfully transported cash to Hong Kong only to be robbed upon arrival. These incidents reveal a troubling pattern of organized criminal activity targeting individuals involved in informal currency transport operations. The use of tear gas or pepper spray in all three attacks indicates a coordinated modus operandi, while the timing suggests sophisticated surveillance of the victims' movements. For foreign residents, these cases highlight several important considerations. First, the informal currency exchange business—while not explicitly illegal—operates in a gray area that attracts criminal attention. Individuals hired for such work may unknowingly involve themselves in money laundering operations or become targets for robbery. The promise of "several tens of thousands of yen per day" for transporting cash should raise red flags about the legitimacy and safety of such arrangements. Second, these incidents demonstrate that organized crime networks can operate seamlessly across international borders. The apparent coordination between attacks in Tokyo, at Haneda Airport, and in Hong Kong suggests criminal organizations with resources to track targets across jurisdictions and execute multiple operations. Japanese authorities are coordinating with Hong Kong police to investigate potential connections between all incidents. The use of similar tactics—tear gas attacks and targeting of large cash shipments—strongly suggests involvement by the same criminal network or related groups. Expats should exercise extreme caution regarding any employment opportunities involving cash transport, particularly across international borders. Legitimate financial institutions use secure, regulated channels for currency exchange and transfer. Individuals approached with offers to transport large sums of cash should report such proposals to police rather than accepting employment. These robberies also serve as a reminder about personal security when handling significant amounts of cash. While most foreign residents will never encounter such situations, awareness of current criminal trends helps maintain vigilance. Anyone who witnesses suspicious activity or receives unusual job offers involving cash handling should contact local police immediately. As investigations continue, authorities are working to dismantle the networks behind these sophisticated robberies and prevent further attacks on individuals involved in cash transport operations.