Fake Mineral Water Seller Arrested

A man who had been producing and selling fake mineral water since January 2003 was arrested for violating the trademark law, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (SMPA) reported on May 12.

Chang (40) is accused of manufacturing 4.75 millions of bottles and caps with labels of famous mineral water brands posted on them, after which he sold them to 2,951 stores in Seoul and made 230 million won.

SMPA has also issued arrest warrants to Chung (49), the owner of a bar in Gangnam, and Kim (60), the owner of “R” Hotel in the same area. They are accused of buying the bottles and bottle caps from Chang. The owners of several other businesses have been detained on similar allegations.

According to police reports, Chung, who runs four drinking houses, filled regular water into counterfeit mineral water bottles and served it to customers.

He placed real mineral water on display in his bars, and sold the fake bottled water when the customers ordered more. The customers could not tell if the water was truly mineral water or not, and most did not even doubt it in the first place.

Chung, who has sold 15,800 fake mineral water bottles over a two year span, said, “The wholesale price for a 500mL bottle of real mineral water is 240 to 260 won, which is about 100 won more expensive than green tea or other canned drinks.”

“Since most customers drink only half of the water after opening the bottle, I simply filled the bottle with regular water and resold it,” he added.

Jae-Myoung Lee egija@donga.com