Korean club manager in Kabukicho busted for welfare fraud

TOKYO (TR) – The anti-organized crime division of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police on May 18 arrested the female manager of a hostess club for fraudulently collecting welfare payments, reports the Sankei Shimbun (May 19).

Heo Ae Yeong, 54, the manager of club Partner, located in the Kabukicho red-light district of Shinjuku Ward, allegedly received 8.4 million yen in welfare payments between September 2008 and April of this year. During that same period, the club collected at least 127 million yen in revenue charged to the credit cards of customers.

The suspect has reportedly admitted to the allegations. “I did it for the money as I was sick and couldn’t work,” Heo is quoted by police.

In July of last year, Heo claimed to the Shinjuku welfare office that she was suffering from Hepatitis C. From August through April, the suspect received 1.38 million yen.

According to Tokyo Sports (May 23), Partner allows Korean hostesses to be taken off the premises to hotels for 30,000 yen. Heo has also been charged with tax evasion and violating the Anti-Prostitution Law. Three hostesses at the club have been cited for immigration violations.

Heo married a Japanese national in 1990. She attained permanent residence status in Japan six years later.