Police arrest 15 for fraudulently overcharging foreign nationals for orders, service at Tbilisi nightclubs

Georgia’s Interior Ministry on Wednesday said law enforcement officers had arrested 15 individuals for fraudulently overcharging foreign nationals for services and products ordered at several nightclubs in the country’s capital of Tbilisi.

The Ministry said the arrests had been made on charges of “fraud and extortion by an organised group”, adding four of the arrested persons had a criminal history.

The body said its investigation had established the managers and service staff at the venues had developed a fraudulent scheme for illegally overcharging the customers on their orders.

It also noted threats and psychological coercion were used against the victims if they refused to pay the overcharged prices, followed by physical assault on refusal.

The state body also said law enforcement officers had seized computer equipment and mobile phones as evidence, with the crimes punishable by up to 10 years of imprisonment.