Threatening Calls Saying "Food Poisoning" to Sokcho Restaurants... Police Investigation Underway

"Annoyed After Food Poisoning from Eating Food"
Man Demands Food Cost and Medical Expenses by Phone
Investigation Finds No Visitors at Claimed Time... Store Owner Files Complaint
Man Made Similar Calls to Other Restaurants

Police have launched an investigation after reports were received about a man demanding compensation for food poisoning, saying he was annoyed after eating at several restaurants in Sokcho city, Gangwon Province.

On the 26th, JTBC's "Incident Manager" aired the story of informant Mr. A, who runs a seafood stew specialty restaurant in Sokcho, Gangwon Province. Mr. A received a call on July 15 from a customer saying, "I got sick after eating the food.” The male customer said, "Four people in my group visited the restaurant yesterday, and all four experienced vomiting and diarrhea, so we went to the hospital this morning," adding, "We came to the restaurant to enjoy the meal, but this happened, so I am very annoyed." He then demanded, "I want you to send 60,000 won for the hospital bill and 60,000 won for the food, totaling 120,000 won."

Upon hearing the food cost, Mr. A began to suspect the man. At Mr. A’s restaurant, a group of four ordering a menu would cost at least 70,000 won. Mr. A asked the man to "handle it through insurance, so please send the medical bill and receipt," then checked the closed-circuit television (CCTV) installed inside the restaurant and became certain it was a scam. There was no record of a group of four visiting the restaurant on the date and time the man mentioned. Mr. A confronted the man, asking, "Why are you lying like this?" The man immediately disappeared after being caught. Mr. A then filed a complaint against him.

Same Scam Call to Parents’ Restaurant: "Annoyed Because of Food Poisoning"

[Photo by Pixabay]

However, two months later, on the 22nd, the same man appeared again. This time, it was Mr. A’s mother’s restaurant. He called the mother’s restaurant, complaining that he had food poisoning after eating there. Mr. A listened to the recorded call and recognized the voice as the same man who had called him before, although the phone number was different. The phrase "very annoyed" was also identical. When Mr. A’s father shouted from nearby during a repeated call, "Everything is being recorded," the man hung up and disappeared again.

According to the police, many similar complaints and accusations have been filed. The police are currently investigating the matter. Mr. A told the "Incident Manager" team, "I am worried because I think he is calling other restaurants and committing similar crimes," explaining why he reported the case.

Netizens who read the story responded with various comments such as, "Stop trying to scam others and live honestly," "What a tiring life," "Why not work instead of wasting time like this," "He didn’t even disguise his voice. Someone who knows him might show up," "Doesn’t he feel ashamed of himself?" "Stay strong, self-employed people of Korea," "I hope he is severely punished as an example," and "Many restaurant owners pay even when they know it’s a scam because they worry it might escalate."