A dating experience in Kolkata has triggered widespread discussion online after a man alleged he was caught in a billing scam during a meeting arranged through Bumble. The viral account has drawn attention to a growing pattern of similar incidents.
From casual meet-up to shocking bill
According to the post, the man matched with a woman on Bumble who suggested meeting at a cafe near Ranikuthi. The initial interaction appeared routine, with the pair ordering coffee and hookah, Times Now reported.
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However, the situation escalated when the bill arrived, amounting to Rs 8,500. The man claimed that before he could question the charges, cafe staff allegedly surrounded him and pressured him to settle the payment.
At the same time, the woman he had met reportedly left the venue, "laughing", leaving him to deal with the situation alone.
Allegations of pressure and intimidation
The post further alleges that the cafe staff created an environment where refusal to pay was not an option. The combination of high billing and alleged intimidation has raised concerns among social media users, many of whom shared similar experiences.
The incident has since gone viral, with users warning others to be cautious when meeting matches from dating apps at unfamiliar locations.
What is honey trap billing fraud?
The case has brought attention to what is often referred to as "Honey Trap Billing Fraud". This type of scam typically involves luring individuals into a social or romantic setup and then presenting them with inflated bills.
In such scenarios, a person connects with someone online and is invited to a specific cafe or restaurant. Once there, expensive or unnecessary items may be added to the bill without clear consent.
In some cases, staff may allegedly pressure or intimidate the individual into paying, while the person who initiated the meeting disappears.
As the story circulates online, it has prompted many to call for greater awareness around such scams.
How did people react?
People responded to the viral account with humour while some realised the gravity of the situation.
Times Now quoted one person as saying, "Bhai ne coffee pi aur Rs 8500 ka subscription le liya. Bumble Premium se bhi mahenga pad gaya date." (Bro had a coffee and walked away with an Rs 8500 subscription. Cost him more than Bumble Premium itself)."
Another one quoted by Times Now said, "I am from Kolkata and we have been warning people about these so-called couple zone cafes for years. Nobody listens until it happens to them personally. This racket runs deep, it runs organised, and local awareness has been criminally low. The boy is not stupid. He was targeted by professionals."
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"Me before reading this tweet: genuinely excited about my Bumble match in Kolkata, picking an outfit, planning conversation topics. Me after reading this tweet: deleting every dating app, reconsidering human connection as a concept, and seriously evaluating a life of solitude with a cat," said another.
