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February 2, 2011

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Bar operators sent to jail over alcohol scam

TWO lovers have been sentenced to 10-and-a-half years in prison for organizing alcohol scams in the bar they operated.

Another 25 people involved in the city's biggest wine scam case were jailed from 10 months to three years and three months in prison, according to the Songjiang District People's Court on Monday.

The gang members seduced men on the Internet, enticing them to Hanini bar and overcharging them for alcohol. Altogether 72 victims were cheated within a month. Together they lost more than 210,000 yuan (US$31,866).

The lovers surnamed Ning and Li, rented and managed Hanini bar last April in Songjiang. They soon recruited people to play different roles in the scam.

Four people scoured online chat rooms to meet potential male customers. They would ask the men personal information such as how much they earn. The information was then passed on to other ring members, who sent the details of "valuable men" to female hustlers.

The women then agreed to meet the men at Hanini. Bartenders sold counterfeit wine at prices of genuine expensive brands to the victims, the court heard.

Officers nabbed the gang on April 21 after several complaints appeared online.

Li, 21, denied swindling customers during the hearing, saying he just earned large profits. Other ring members argued they were only promoting expensive alcohols.

The court ruled the ring members had committed fraud. Sentences were based on the role each individual played in the scam.


 

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