An influencer has been slapped with a suspended prison sentence after evading more than £600,000 in taxes.
Reika Kuroki was sentenced to two years and six months in prison – suspended for four years.
The 38-year-old, who labelled herself ‘Japan’s no.1 influencer’, was charged with violating corporation tax law, alongside other offences.
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This led to the influencer committing over £683,700 (¥150 million) in tax evasion.
Reika, who has over 400,000 followers, was charged on Wednesday (15 Jul), as reported by Need To Know.
The Tokyo District Court heard how the influencer concealed £2,261,760 (¥496 million) in income during the fiscal years ending January 2021 and January 2023 to 2024.
The income was concealed through methods such as recording fictitious outsourcing fees as business expenses.
The verdict stated that Reika had evaded £715,920 (¥157 million) in corporate income tax and consumption tax.
The advertising agency, for which the influencer is a representative, was also handed a huge fine.
The business was slapped with a £182,440 (¥40 million) fine.
The opening statement from the prosecution revealed that the influencer was commissioned by beauty-related companies to promote products on her social media.
The cosmetic promotions feature on her Instagram account, where the mother of four goes under the name ‘Reika Miyazaki’.
The agreement in place stated that the agency was to receive compensation based on the volume of sales.
The influencer allegedly concealed this income.
During the trial, Reika admitted to the charges.
Her defense team requested a suspended sentence, which was granted by the court.
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