Japanese man denied kidney transplant in China files complaint for fraud, Japan
Source: Mainichi Daily News

KOBE -- A man who visited China to undergo a kidney transplant but ended up coming home without finding a donor has filed a criminal complaint, accusing two former high-ranking officials of a nonprofit organization (NPO) that organized his tour of defrauding him out of 10 million yen, it has emerged.

The resident of Kobe in his 60s, whose name was not immediately known, filed the complaint with Hyogo Prefectural Police. In response, the force is set to launch an investigation into the case on suspicion of fraud and mediating organ transactions in violation of the Organ Transplantation Law.

A board member of the NPO has denied any wrongdoing. "The 10 million yen was necessary expenses, and we didn't swindle him."

One of the two former high-ranking officials said, "I didn't know a criminal complaint had been filed against me."

The man consulted with the organization that advertised on its website that it would help arrange organ transplants overseas, according to prefectural police. He paid a combined 10 million yen to the group on three occasions under the pretext of covering his expenses of traveling to China and for employee costs to stay there.

He then flew to Jinan, China, in May 2009 where he underwent artificial dialysis for two months and waited for a kidney donor during that time. However, offers of organs were canceled one after another on the grounds that they were not compatible with him.

He subsequently returned home after being required by the organization to pay an additional 2.5 million yen.

The group, which was recognized by the Cabinet Office as a nonprofit organization in June last year, was set up by an importer-exporter of cars and car parts in Osaka Prefecture in 2005, according to its website.

It is now based in Saitama Prefecture, and claims it helps transport patients to overseas medical institutions and provides counseling to patients with incurable diseases.

臓器移植：団体元幹部を告訴　神戸の男性「１千万円詐取」

　臓器移植のために中国に渡った神戸市の６０代の男性が、現地で手術を受けられなかったにもかかわらず、移植情報を提供した民間団体から旅費や同行スタッフの滞在費などの名目で１０００万円をだまし取られたとして、民間団体の元幹部２人を兵庫県警に刑事告訴していたことが分かった。県警は近く、詐欺容疑で本格捜査する方針を固めた。業としての臓器のあっせんを禁じる臓器移植法違反も視野に入れて調べる。

　県警などによると、告訴した男性は腎不全を患っており、インターネットのホームページで海外での臓器移植支援などをうたっていた団体に相談。計１０００万円を３回に分けて団体側に支払い、０９年５月に移植手術のため中国・済南市へ渡航した。現地で人工透析を受けながら約２カ月間、手術を待ったが、「臓器が合わない」などの理由でキャンセルが相次ぎ、２５０万円の追加支払いを求められたため帰国。昨年８月に刑事告訴した。

　この民間団体は昨年６月、内閣府からＮＰＯの認証を受けた。ＮＰＯのホームページなどによると、大阪府で自動車や部品の輸出入などをしていた男性が０５年に設立した。ＮＰＯの登記簿によると現在は本部を埼玉県に置き、海外医療機関への患者の移送支援や難病患者の相談などを目的に掲げている。

　告訴された元幹部の男性の一人は「１０００万のうち、飛行機代や透析費用などの経費を差し引いた約６００万円を返金しようとしたが『（額が少なすぎて）話にならない』と断られた。詐欺にはならないはずだ」と話している。【村上正、金森崇之】