Tianjin couple held over fake food-poisoning claims
AM730 · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Police in Tianjin have taken criminal coercive measures against a young couple accused of repeatedly dining at restaurants, then falsely claiming they developed acute gastroenteritis in order to demand refunds and compensation. Investigators said the pair allegedly used forged hospital diagnosis papers and medical invoices, with more than 50 restaurants targeted and over 20,000 yuan involved.
Key Points
- Multiple restaurants in shopping malls in Tianjin's Hexi district reported malicious compensation claims from a diner using the name “Zhang Yuan”, prompting an official investigation
- After eating, the woman allegedly claimed she had bacterial acute gastroenteritis, demanded meal refunds and medical costs, and threatened bad reviews or platform exposure
- Investigators found repeated claims pointing to the same person, with highly similar diagnoses; surveillance showed the diners appeared normal and no other patrons fell ill.
- Police said “Zhang Yuan” was an alias used by Wang, while the man travelling with her was her boyfriend Yang, who previously had a similar extortion record.
- Officers verified with hospitals that the diagnosis certificates and medical invoices were forged, then arrested Wang and Yang in another province on September 2.
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, the case shows how restaurants can be pressured into private settlements when reputational damage through reviews and online platforms is used as leverage. The investigation also underlines the need for businesses to verify medical claims and preserve surveillance records before paying compensation.