Police raid tour guides operating teahouse scams

Beijing police said on Monday they raided a group of illegal tour guides in the Forbidden City area, who cheated foreign tourists.

A female foreign tourist said she met a Chinese woman on March 17, who recommended a bar and a teahouse near the Forbidden City area, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Her consumption at the two spots cost the female tourist nearly 6,500 yuan ($1,047).

After receiving the tourist's report, police detained several suspects and found evidence of the fraud.

Li, the owner of the teahouse and bar, said lots of customers at the spots were brought there by illegal tour guides in the area.

The customers are persuaded to spend lots of money and the illegal tour guides get commission from the bar owner.

The case is still under investigation, the report said.