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A disturbing trend has emerged in India, where women are allegedly colluding with bar and pub owners to trap unsuspecting men on dating apps and extort money from them. This 'dating scam' has been reported in several cities, with the latest incident taking place at The Godfather Club in Mumbai's Andheri West. The scam, exposed by activist Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj on X, involves women who express interest in meeting men on popular dating platforms like Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, and OKCupid. These women strategically choose specific establishments, like The Godfather Club, for their rendezvous, where they allegedly order expensive drinks and hookah that are not listed on the menu. Unaware of the impending financial trap, the men, eager to impress, end up with hefty bills ranging from ₹23,000 to ₹61,000.
The scam's success hinges on the unsuspecting nature of the men, who are motivated by the desire to make a good impression and form a connection. The women's choice of expensive, unlisted items further exacerbates the situation, as the men are left with no recourse to dispute the inflated charges. Once the orders are placed, the women abruptly leave, often citing an emergency, leaving the men to face the exorbitant bills alone. To further intimidate the victims, the club's staff or bouncers threaten the men, forcing them to pay the bills out of fear and humiliation. This pattern of exploitation leaves the men financially burdened and emotionally distraught, highlighting a disturbing case of extortion.
This incident, along with similar reports from other cities like Delhi, Gurugram, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, exposes a widespread network of nightclubs and their employees, who use dating apps to lure unsuspecting men into costly and intimidating situations. The establishments reportedly employ PR personnel to bait men through these platforms, highlighting a systemic issue within the nightlife industry. The Godfather Club, in particular, is now under scrutiny for its alleged involvement in this scam. These incidents underscore the importance of caution and awareness, even in seemingly innocent social interactions via dating apps. It is crucial for users to be vigilant, verify the legitimacy of establishments, and avoid being pressured into spending excessive amounts of money on unlisted items.
Source: Mumbai club under fire for 'dating scam' after man gets Rs 61,000 bill