Law enforcement officials have intensified efforts to combat a disturbing trend where criminals deliberately contaminate food at restaurants with insects and foreign objects to extort money from the establishments.
In Shiyan, Hubei province, police recently apprehended a suspect, identified as Rong, who is accused of blackmailing over 700 restaurants across more than 80 cities in 28 provincial-level regions since last year, amassing over 100,000 yuan ($14,000) in fraudulent compensation.
In late May, Rong targeted a restaurant at Shiyan Wudangshan Airport, alleging that he discovered ants in his meal and demanding compensation ten times the cost of his food. Investigations revealed that Rong purchased ants and discreetly placed them in dishes at targeted restaurants, primarily at high-end airport venues and chain eateries, exploiting the establishments’ fear of reputation damage to secure payouts.
Police reported that within two days of his arrival in Hubei, Rong executed four extortion attempts in four different cities. He has since confessed to his crimes and remains in detention as the investigation proceeds.
In a related case in Beijing, Haidian district authorities arrested a man surnamed Su, who allegedly extorted money from multiple restaurants by planting cockroaches in his food. In April, Su dined alone at a grilled fish restaurant, claimed to have found a cockroach in his meal, and demanded 1,000 yuan in compensation. The restaurant negotiated and ultimately paid Su 500 yuan, also waiving his bill.
Another establishment reported a similar incident involving Su, who was caught on surveillance footage placing an insect on his table while examining the menu. When confronted with the threat of police involvement, Su quickly paid his bill and left. He later admitted to collecting, cooking, and planting cockroaches in restaurant food to extort money.
Haidian market supervision authorities have addressed three other cases of malicious compensation claims and extortion since July last year, involving suspects who planted hair, insects, and mealworms in their food orders to demand payouts.
Shiyan police have pledged to intensify their efforts to curb such fraudulent activities, aiming to protect both businesses and consumers from these deceitful practices.
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