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A match on a dating app, an invitation to a swanky restaurant, and a bill that's shockingly high—this is the classic setup for a 'scam date.' Many people have fallen for this trick, where the bill is so outrageous it feels like it’s burning a hole in your wallet and your clothes.
The latest case of this scam is from The Godfather Club in Andheri West, Mumbai. The club is now under investigation after a viral social media post by activist Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj. Her post revealed how many men have been tricked into paying shockingly high bills, leaving them both out of pocket and embarrassed.
According to Ms. Bhardwaj’s post, the scam starts on popular dating apps like Tinder and Bumble. Men connect with women who are keen to meet in person, usually at places like The Godfather Club. Once there, the women order pricey items like fancy drinks or hookah that aren’t on the menu. The men, wanting to make a good impression, don’t realize they’re walking into a financial trap.
After placing their orders, the women suddenly leave, often claiming they have an emergency. This leaves the men stuck with a massive bill, sometimes between ₹23,000 and ₹61,000, as shown in photos shared by Ms. Bhardwaj. If the men try to protest or refuse to pay, the club’s staff or bouncers reportedly threaten them, making them pay out of fear and embarrassment.
The Godfather Club isn't the only place being investigated. Ms. Bhardwaj’s post suggests that there’s a network of nightclubs in Mumbai involved in similar scams. These clubs are said to use PR staff to recruit women who attract men on dating apps, tricking them into pricey and threatening situations.
Similar scams have been reported in big cities like Delhi, Gurugram, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. For example, in June, a civil service aspirant ended up paying a huge ₹1.2 lakh bill at a popular spot in Delhi after a date went wrong.