Korean BBQ owner blackmailed over mouse incident
A Korean BBQ restaurant owner has been threatened by a man who warned he would post a video on social media of a mouse running through the venue if the owner did not pay him $10,000.
The County Court convicted and sentenced Mina Soltan, 34, on Tuesday to a two-year community correction order after pleading guilty to blackmail.
Soltan blackmailed Cheuk Yin Au, the owner of Carlton’s Hwatu, after filming the mouse in the Lygon St restaurant on 12 May last year.
Soltan spoke to Mr Au on the phone saying he could get “sick” at his “dirty restaurant” at which point Mr Au offered Soltan $300 for “medical expenses”, but Soltan wasn’t happy with such a small amount.
“We’re talking about thousands,” Soltan said.
Mr Au later sent Soltan a text: “Would you be happy to take $1,000 for this (sic) issues? I know its not a (sic) big money and I appreciate your help to sort this out with us privately,” Mr Au said.
Soltan called Mr Au with his demand.
“Give me $10,000 or your business will be in trouble,” Soltan said.
Soltan told Mr Au he had until the next day to pay but was “happy to settle” for $5000 if paid earlier.
Soltan warned Mr Au the mouse video was going on social media and he could make the restaurant “close for three days”.
Mr AU recorded two phone conversations with Soltan and then reported the blackmail to police on 13 May. Police began a phone sting to catch Soltan out.
Soltan was arrested at his Docklands home on 7 June. He admitted to police he recorded a video of mice at the restaurant but denied any blackmail had occurred.
Soltan has been ordered to serve 300 hours of unpaid community work.
Irit Jackson, 7th April 2022
