SHANGHAI: Police have arrested five people alleged to have duped a Swedish man into paying nearly 5,000 yuan ($680) for coffee and whisky during a recent business trip to the city.

The man, named Peter, a department manager with Sweden's stock exchange operator OMX Group, was visiting Shanghai with colleagues to explore market opportunities.

On November 27, two Chinese women claiming to be university students approached him on Nanjing Road in the central business area. They asked if they could be his free tour guides and practice their English.

Peter accepted their invitation.

The women are then said to have taken him to the Manabe coffee shop at the Brilliance Shimao International Plaza where Peter ordered three cups of coffee at 40 yuan each.

However, soon after the coffees arrived, one of the girls insisted on ordering a whisky - not listed on the menu - despite Peter's refusal to pay for it.

While the man went outside to make a phone call, the girls are said to have ordered and drank a further 11 glasses of whisky.

On his return, Peter was presented with a bill for 4,996 yuan: Each of the 12 glasses of whisky was priced at 400 yuan.

The two women fled as Peter disputed the bill with the manager.

He eventually agreed to pay and settled the bill with his credit card.

On his return to Sweden, Peter filed a complaint with the Shanghai commerce and industry bureau.

The bureau, with the public security bureau of Huangpu district, are now investigating the Manabe coffee shop.

Investigations have so far revealed the Swede is not the only person alleged to have been conned by "young students", hired by unscrupulous shops to squeeze money out of unsuspecting customers.

Lin Yingxiu, the manager of Taiwan-based Manabe's mainland headquarters, told China Daily that most Manabe coffee shops are not licensed to serve alcohol, except for "special guest requirements".

Local authorities have since closed the Brilliance Shimao outlet pending investigation.

Huang Huifeng, vice-director of the management office of Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, said the incident had damaged the area's good reputation.

He said the commerce and industry bureau of Huangpu district, where the street is located, will conduct random checks on business activities there.

Jason Tang, deputy head of the law and theory research department of the Shanghai Consumer's Association, said it was important for Chinese companies to establish and protect their reputation.

He said complaints of unfair practices could be made to the association's hotline on 12315.

The latest development is that Peter will be refunded his 4,966 yuan, thanks to the help of the local media in Shanghai, which reported the incident.

(China Daily December 18, 2007)