"Woke Up to a 22 Million Won Bill After Drinking Alone"... Multiple Reports of Overcharging at Entertainment Bars

Victims Claim "Overcharged After Being Drugged and Losing Consciousness"
Police Launch Investigation

The police have launched an investigation after a series of reports that the owner of an entertainment bar in Eumseong, North Chungcheong Province, allegedly overcharged customers for drinks by using drugs.

On January 27, the Eumseong Police Station in North Chungcheong Province announced that a man in his 30s, referred to as A, has been booked without detention and is being investigated on charges of quasi-fraud and extortion.

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A, who operates more than 10 entertainment establishments in Eumseong, is suspected of repeatedly overcharging customers for drinks at his bar from August to December last year, taking advantage of moments when customers lost consciousness.

There are multiple victims, and it has been reported that some paid up to 22 million won (approximately $16,500) in drink charges. A is also accused of following customers who attempted to drive under the influence and threatening to report them to the police in order to extort money.

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After launching the investigation, the police conducted a search and seizure at A’s entertainment establishment on January 23, confiscating whiskey, closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage, and an unidentified drug. The police suspect that A may have mixed this drug into customers’ drinks to cause them to lose consciousness, and have requested the National Forensic Service to analyze the ingredients of the confiscated alcohol and drug.

However, during the police investigation, A reportedly denied the allegations, claiming, “Customers made false reports because they did not want to pay for their drinks.” The police stated that if it is confirmed that A mixed drugs into the drinks, the charges will be changed to robbery and an arrest warrant will be sought.