Officers took Yuya Matsuda, the 25-year-old manager at Club Cenote, located in the Kabukicho entertainment area, and four other staff members into custody for demanding 510,000 yen from a 32-year-old male customer on December 1.
When the customer indicated that he was not able to pay the suspects said that he would be forced to work for the club. The victim cleaned the establishment’s toilet and performed as a street tout until the following day when he managed to escape, according to the Yomiuri Shimbun (Feb. 24).
All five suspects, who have been charged with violating a metropolitan ordinance that prohibits bottakuri, or overcharging, have reportedly denied the allegations, saying that the bill was not excessive.
The customer had arrived at the club at approximately 5:00 a.m. after being lured by a street tout who promised a set price of 4,000 yen, according to the Asahi Shimbun (Feb. 24). The victim then fell asleep while drinking. He was then presented with the large bill.
Since November, police have received 51 complaints of overcharging at Club Cenote.
