Indian Woman Caught Shoplifting In Japan Tries To Bribe Police To Avoid Jail

An Indian woman was allegedly caught shoplifting at a souvenir store in Japan during a group trip, and investment advisor Muthukrishnan Dhandapani said she tried twice to settle the matter by offering money after being apprehended.

“Indian Tourist Accused Of Shoplifting In Japan, Tries To Settle Matter With Cash; Sparks Debate On Responsible Travel An Indian tourist was allegedly caught shoplifting at a souvenir store in Japan and reportedly tried twice to settle the matter by offering money”

Free Press Journal

Dhandapani wrote, “In our group, from the beginning one lady has been shoplifting. We were not aware of it,” describing how the theft came to light only when she was caught inside a tourist souvenir shop.

Free Press Journal

The shopkeeper reportedly refused the offer to pay and contacted local police, and Dhandapani said the group’s tour manager accompanied the woman to a police station.

At the station, Dhandapani alleged the woman again attempted to offer money, and he wrote, “In police station too that lady offered money. The Japanese police was not amused.”

Dhandapani said the Japanese shopkeeper told the tour group that Japan is a “high trust society” where stealing is rare, and he said the shopkeeper’s disapproval focused on the attempt to pay after being caught.

The Indian Express quoted the shopkeeper’s emphasis on what offended him, writing, “more than stealing, what offended him was offering money after being caught,” as the store owner expressed disappointment.

The Indian Express

The Times of India similarly framed the shopkeeper’s reaction around respect for India, quoting Dhandapani’s account that the Japanese shop keeper said they have “great respect for India.”

Both outlets tied the shopkeeper’s decision to call authorities to the alleged bribe attempt, with Dhandapani describing how the tour manager accompanied the woman to the police station after police were contacted.

Dhandapani alleged that officers explained the seriousness of shoplifting under Japanese law and warned the woman about legal consequences, saying the punishment could be severe.

“A woman from an Indian tour group in Japan was allegedly caught shoplifting at a souvenir shop and later tried to offer money to both the shopkeeper and police officers as bribes after being caught, according to a viral post on X”

The Times of India

The Indian Express reported Dhandapani’s claim that the officers told her, “she needs to go to jail,” before authorities ultimately chose not to take further action.

In the same account, Dhandapani said the woman was “let go with severe warning,” and the Times of India echoed that framing by stating she was released after being warned.

The story also drew social media backlash and reactions, including one user writing, “When travelling abroad, people represent not only themselves but also their country,” as the incident spread online.