“This appears to be an organized syndicate, and it’s imperative that the police investigate it thoroughly. Many victims have lodged cyber complaints, and the internet is filled with reviews exposing these scams. It’s disheartening that despite widespread awareness, the police seem indifferent, possibly because women are at the forefront of these scams,” Deepika Bharadwaj said.
In India, a new wave of scams has appeared in which men are targeted by women who trap them through dating apps, and then exploit them financially, often in connivance with some bar or pub owners. Several such incidents have been reported in cities like Delhi , Hyderabad , and Chennai, raising concerns about the credibility of dating apps. Similar instances have recently appeared in the financial capital of India, one of the most vibrant cities in Maharashtra, the city of Mumbai.
Midday Media House recently conducted a sting operation in the case after several people complained about being duped at the hands of online dates in Mumbai. This is after Midday reported one such scam case in July 2024. Three women had befriended three different men from Mumbai and had asked them to meet at the Red Room pub in Andheri.
The women in every case place heavy orders including expensive drinks and hookah leading the bills to cost Rs 8,800, Rs 24,000, and Rs 43,000. In each case, the women escaped to the washroom or went home when the bill arrived forcing the men to pay hefty amounts. 🚨 MUMBAI DATING SCAM .