The scam’s modus operandi begins by quickly matching women with men through dating apps and proposing immediate meetings at specific locations. Once there, the women order expensive dishes that are often not on the menu and then abruptly disappear under various pretexts. The men are then left to pay exorbitant bills, with some of them reporting threats from club staff when they objected.
Bhardwaj claims that the Fraud is widespread, with at least 10 men falling victim to it every day in a single club. The women involved reportedly receive 15-20% of the bill as commission, suggesting an organised operation that may involve the nightclub management.
Despite numerous complaints from victims, the scam continues unabated in many places in Mumbai. The Sponsor Club in Andheri West has been identified as a prominent location for these fraudulent activities, although other establishments are also involved.
For fear of infection, many victims are hesitant to report the incidents to the authorities.
Similar incidents have been reported in many major Indian cities, including Delhi, Gurugram, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. In June, a man in Delhi fell victim to a similar scam and received a bill of Rs 120,000.
Mumbai Police have said senior officers of the relevant police station have been informed and an investigation has been launched. Authorities suspect a wider network of nightclubs employing public relations staff to recruit women who lure men on dating apps.
As investigations are ongoing, dating app users are advised to exercise caution when meeting potential partners, especially in unfamiliar or upscale establishments.
