On March 17, Fukuoka police filed charges against the CEO of advertising agency Winnot, based in Hakata, Fukuoka, on suspicion of violating the Act on Punishment of Organized Crimes by accepting revenue from illegal prostitution businesses.
According to police, the company was responsible for managing advertisements for adult entertainment establishments in the Kyushu and Okinawa regions on a nationwide brothel listing website.
The suspect, a 52-year-old executive residing in Kita Ward, Osaka, allegedly received approximately 620,000 yen ($4,200) in advertising fees on December 20, 2023, from a brothel in Hakata Ward that was operating for prostitution purposes.
Authorities suspect that the company knowingly accepted advertising revenue from illegal businesses, effectively profiting from criminal activity.
The police are continuing their investigation into the company's broader involvement in illicit operations.