A Norwegian corporate traveler spent nearly 190.000 kroner during a single night out at a strip club in Gdansk, Poland, only to have his refund claim unanimously rejected by Norway’s Financial Complaints Board, The World Walks reported.
The Disputed Strip Club Bill
The night out in August last year involved nine separate card transactions at the Polish venue, according to case documents reviewed by The World Walks and TrinGlobe. The total expenditure comprised 177.966 kroner in point-of-sale card payments, 11.825 kroner in ATM cash withdrawals, and a 178,25-krone withdrawal fee. All seven card payments and two ATM transactions were authenticated using the man’s physical chip and PIN code, a detail that initially complicated his fraud claim against Luster Sparebank.
Contradictory Explanations to the Bank
The traveler’s account of the evening shifted multiple times during the dispute process. Initially, he told his bank that he had only purchased two drinks for himself and a colleague, insisting his Visa card never left his possession and that he had not authorized the larger sums. Early the next morning, when calling the card-blocking service, he stated that he had indeed performed the payments himself but mistakenly believed the amounts were significantly smaller. Later in the proceedings, he altered his story completely, explaining that he and his colleague accepted a free shot at the club, were subsequently drugged, and had no recollection of the events that followed. He attributed his initial dishonesty to deep personal shame regarding the strip club visit.
Financial Complaints Board Rejection
Luster Sparebank rejected the reimbursement demand, arguing that the customer had consented to the transactions. When the case reached the Financial Complaints Board (Financial Complaints Board), the panel noted that the transaction pattern—where the billed amounts increased with each charge—bore suspicious hallmarks that could indicate fraud. However, the board declined to rule on the merits because the customer’s shifting explanations made it impossible to determine how the payments actually occurred through written review alone, leaving the traveler entirely responsible for the losses unless he escalates the dispute to the ordinary courts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How were the payments authenticated at the Gdansk venue?
According to Financial Complaints Board records cited by The World Walks and TrinGlobe, all seven card purchases and two ATM cash withdrawals were executed using the card’s physical chip and the correct personal PIN code.
What specific amounts made up the total financial loss?
The total expenditure consisted of 177.966 kroner in direct card payments, 11.825 kroner withdrawn from ATMs, and a 178,25-krone ATM fee.
Why did the Financial Complaints Board refuse to assign responsibility?
The board dismissed the case because the customer’s multiple, conflicting statements created evidentiary uncertainties that could not be resolved through standard written case handling.
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