Chinese Student in Japan Sentenced for TOEIC Exam Fraud

A Chinese graduate student at Kyoto University in Japan, Wang Likun, has received a three-year prison sentence, suspended for five years, for repeatedly acting as a proxy test-taker for the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC).

Wang, 28, allegedly impersonated other individuals seven times between 2024 and 2025 to take the TOEIC exams in Tokyo. His method involved concealing a small microphone inside his mask to transmit answers to other Chinese test-takers. Despite being caught each time by exam organizers who then alerted the police, Wang persisted in his fraudulent activities.

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You have repeatedly impersonated others to take exams, severely damaging the fairness and credibility of the exams. In a planned and organized criminal act, the role you played was not insignificant, and your criminal responsibility cannot be overlooked.

Japanese authorities believe Wang's actions are part of a larger, systematic cheating operation. Investigations revealed that approximately 50 Chinese students registered for the exam from the same address, with 14 of them sharing identical incorrect answers with Wang. Police have also arrested two other Chinese men, Li Zhaobei and Wu Xiyu, suspected of recruiting Wang and facilitating the cheating scheme.

The Tokyo District Court cited the severe damage to the fairness and credibility of the exams, acknowledging Wang's significant role in a planned and organized criminal enterprise. However, the court considered Wang's potential subordinate position within the criminal group when deciding on the suspended sentence, meaning he will likely avoid actual imprisonment if he refrains from further offenses during the probation period.

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However, considering that Wang may have been in a subordinate and controlled position within the criminal group, sentencing should be based on this premise.