Nightlife scams, once common in cities like Mumbai and Delhi, have started surfacing in Pune as well.
The modus operandi is fairly straightforward: certain restaurants ask women to get on dating apps and lure men into meeting them.
During the date, the women order expensive food and drinks, then vanish without a trace. The unsuspecting men are left to foot the hefty bill, often pressured by bouncers. Meanwhile, the women earn a commission on the total amount spent.
According to a Pune Mirror report, a youth named Siddharth was lured by a woman to Life of Dorrance, a club in Wagholi. The woman ordered liquor worth ₹19,597, and when the bill arrived, she left the table on the pretext of going to the washroom. Siddharth tried to contact her later, but her phone was switched off. The hotel manager even threatened him to pay up the bill.
As per the report, Siddharth’s friend Jagjit also received a message from the same woman. Again, she called him to Life of Dorrance. Now, aware of the scam, Jagjit decided to check the glass after the waiter placed the woman’s order on the table. It turned out to be cold drinks and not alcohol. After realising that she was trapped, the woman fled from the hotel.
Reportedly, Jagjit immediately called the police to the club and exposed the scam. During this time, he said that a few other girls sitting at adjacent tables also walked out in fear of getting caught.
Meanwhile, the club owner, Ankush Dahake, has denied any wrongdoing. However, the victims have filed a complaint with Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar, demanding strict action against the club and an inquiry into the modus operandi of the women.