The rip-off’s modus operandi begins with ladies shortly matching with males on relationship apps and suggesting rapid meetups at particular venues.As soon as there, the ladies order expensive gadgets, typically not listed on the menu, earlier than abruptly leaving underneath numerous pretexts. The lads are then left to foot exorbitant payments, with some reporting threats from membership employees after they object.
Bhardwaj claims the rip-off is widespread, with no less than 10 males falling sufferer every day at a single membership. The ladies concerned allegedly obtain 15-20% of the invoice as fee, suggesting an organised operation probably involving nightclub administration.
Regardless of quite a few cyber complaints filed by victims, the rip-off continues unabated throughout a number of venues in Mumbai. The Godfather Membership in Andheri West has been recognized as a distinguished location for these fraudulent actions, although different institutions are additionally implicated.
Many victims have hesitated to report incidents to authorities, fearing private publicity.
Related incidents have been reported throughout main Indian cities, together with Delhi, Gurugram, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. In June, a person in Delhi fell sufferer to an analogous rip-off, leading to a staggering ₹1.2 lakh invoice.
Mumbai Police have said that senior officers on the related police station have been knowledgeable and an investigation is underway. Authorities suspect a broader community of nightclubs using PR personnel to rent ladies for baiting males on relationship apps.
As investigations proceed, relationship app customers are suggested to train warning when assembly matches, particularly at unfamiliar or high-end institutions.
