The modern generation is plagued with the modern problem of Dating App scams. After Hyderabad and Delhi, the latest victims of a sinister dating scam are surfacing in Mumbai. The West-inspired online dating scene is showing its ugly reality to the youth of India.
Women posing as interested matches on Dating Apps like Tinder and Bumble lure men to upscale pubs and bars. These women run up staggering bills on premium drinks, food, and hookahs before vanishing, leaving their dates stuck with hefty tabs. Let’s explore the ruin caused to individual lives and Bharat’s society by this scam!
Dating App Scam: Red Flags at The Godfather Club in Mumbai
The Dating App Sam had previously targeted men in Hyderabad, and later in Delhi. Currently, the racket has gained traction in Mumbai, particularly at The Godfather Club in Andheri. Recently, three men befriended women online, only to be lured on dates to this pub and left with bills ranging from ₹23,000 to ₹61,000.
One man reported paying for a bottle of Blue Label whiskey priced at ₹39,984. Another victim was charged ₹48,996, which included fees for “entertainment” and exorbitant extras. When it came time to settle the bill, the women conveniently excused themselves and left the establishment!
The victims of this Dating App Scam are often left to face the wrath of the pub’s staff and pay up.
If the men refuse to pay or are unable to cough up the amount, the staff allegedly resorted to threats and physical violence. In one case, bouncers forcibly detained a man until he paid for the bill his date had racked up. Despite numerous complaints, no arrests have been made to date.
Dating App Scam: A Growing Web of Deceit?
🚨 MUMBAI DATING SCAM EXPOSE 🚨
THE GODFATHER CLUB ANDHERI WEST
◾BRAZEN SCAMMING EVERYDAY
◾12 victims in touch
◾Trap laid through Tinder, Bumble
◾Bill amounts 23K- 61K
◾3 men trapped by same girl@MumbaiPolice @CPMumbaiPolice @mymalishka @CMOMaharashtra@zomato pic.twitter.com/qGOacFCE9f— Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj (@DeepikaBhardwaj) August 23, 2024
This Mumbai Dating App Scam follows a well-known pattern. In Hyderabad, the police had arrested several people who worked in tandem to befuddle the victims of a similar dating app scam. Men’s rights activist Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj has been actively helping victims, revealing that over a dozen men have come forward with complaints.
Analysts state that this scam is an organized syndicate, with club owners and waiters collaborating with the women. These women are rewarded with a percentage of the final bill for their role in duping the men. Despite the growing awareness, the authorities appear helpless, likely due to the lack of proof of intent to scam the women.
Same City, Same Scam: Organized Crime?
What’s particularly troubling is the consistency of the scam. The same clubs and the same script of scam are used, like at The Godfather Club in Andheri. Hence, this Dating App Scam is easily identified by its predictable script. These women order the same expensive items, such as Blue Label whiskey and hookahs, to jack up the bills. Then, they disappear, leaving the men to deal with the fallout.
Advocate Bhardwaj points out that if this wasn’t an organized crime, why would the staff consistently let women go without paying and target only the men?
The sheer number of cases shows that the victims are chosen for their desperate gullibility and modern outlook on dating! The target cities for such gangs are metro cities where dating culture via apps is encouraged. The evidence provided by victims, including online reviews and police complaints, paints a disturbing picture of widespread collusion between these women and club staff.
The Aftershock Of The Scam To Society
BEWARE of Online Dating App Scams. Watch how Girls trap Boys on Apps like Tinder, Bumble etc and scam them into paying Huge amounts of cash pic.twitter.com/9RcByQuyJX
— Rosy (@rose_k01) August 23, 2024
The Dating App Scam not only causes financial harm but also shakes trust in fellow humans. Online dating does not synchronize well with Indian values. And this scam puts the fear of fellow humans in the youth of today.
Firstly, the Datin App Scam exploits the victims by using females are lures. Hence, it permanently scars the victims for trusting women. Thereby, placing women of Bharat in the grey zone of questionable moral turpitude.
Secondly, it leaves a huge emotional and psychological impact on men. Most men who seek comfort in online relationships may already be vulnerable. Thus, by scamming them on the first date, the scam permanently scars their minds against the women of Bharat.
And lastly, the Dating App scam is usually done by a gang of operatives. Thus, the scam ensures that men who fall for this scam view every Indian as a scamster for the rest of their lives. Thus, the consequence is that a good man turns jaded for life!
What Needs to Change
The authorities need to crack down on these syndicates fast. The victims should be encouraged to file complaints. And society must foster a supportive environment that doesn’t blame the victims but rather seeks justice for them.
Men and women use dating apps to find companionship. However, apps like Tinder and Bumble are usually used to view dating through the modern lens of loose morals. Thus, the youth of Bharat needs to understand that hook-ups do not lead to meaningful relationship. And the mentality behind these apps does not merge well with Indian culture.
While the allure of meeting new people may be tempting, the risk of falling into one of these traps is very real. It’s time for both the dating app companies and law enforcement to step up and ensure that online dating isn’t a gateway to financial ruin. Additionally, society needs to teach its youth to reject casual dating. The sanctity and joy of committed relationships needs to be re-taught to modern Bharat. These are the only ways to secure Bharat’s society and prevent emotional or psychological ruin of the youth!
