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

A 22-year-old university student in Tokyo, Karen Shinzawa, has been accused of stealing credit cards and spending over S$8,000 at a sports facility, according to police reports. On August 16, 2026, Shinzawa was arrested after allegedly using a master key from the reception desk to access lockers and make fraudulent purchases.

Fox News Network (FNN) reported that Shinzawa, a fourth-year Keio University student and part-time receptionist, stole a credit card from a female customer in her 50s in April. She then used that card to buy two cosmetic products worth 14,000 yen (S$112). The facility, located in the upscale Shibuya Ward, spans several residential areas of Tokyo.

Sinzawa, who graduated from high school in California and returned to Japan in 2022, previously served as the manager of Keio University's ski club, according to Yahoo Japan. She was born in New York. During her interview with police, Shinzawa partially denied the charges, stating that she acted impulsively to acquire the products she bought.

The master key was accessible to all employees at the facility, and other users reportedly suffered losses totaling 1 million yen (S$8,018). Authorities plan to pursue additional charges against Shinzawa.