Caught in Mumbai, Dating App Scammers Resurface in Pune for New Targets
A notorious gang involved in a dating app scam in Mumbai has reportedly moved its operations to Pune following exposure by a sting operation conducted by mid-day. The gang, which lured victims through dating apps and trapped them into paying inflated bills at clubs and lounges, is now allegedly active in Pune’s Koregaon Park area.
A source familiar with the gang’s activities revealed that the scam has been ongoing for over 18 months and has now shifted from Mumbai to Pune. The group had previously operated in Delhi, Goa, Jaipur, Dehradun, Agra, Lucknow, Bhopal, Nagpur, and Jabalpur before making Mumbai their base. However, following an FIR registered against them at the Amboli police station in Mumbai, they relocated to Pune.
How the Scam Works
The gang members, including women, use dating apps to lure men to clubs where they collaborate with the club management to defraud the victims. The gang members, who do not receive fixed salaries, earn commissions based on the amount spent by their victims at these establishments. According to a source, male members of the gang often create fake profiles of women on dating apps, engage in conversations with targets, and then pass on details to female gang members, who meet the victims at the clubs. The club bills, often inflated with charges for expensive drinks and other services, are then shared among the gang members.
Once at the club, the gang works to inflate the bills by adding high-priced items and services. Victims are often left with hefty bills, and the money collected doesn’t go to the club but to the gang members' accounts. The gang uses apps to edit the bills, and the GST numbers on the receipts are often fake. A significant portion of the bill, up to 20%, is given to the woman who meets the victim, while the same amount is given to the male gang member who initiated the conversation on the dating app.
Operating Across Cities
The gang initially targeted clubs in upscale areas on the brink of shutting down. They would offer the club management a profit-sharing model, often agreeing to a 60/40 or 70/30 split. From 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., the gang lures victims to the club, and in the absence of other customers, they create an illusion of exclusivity. Notably, the drinks served to the women posing as dates are non-alcoholic beverages disguised as cocktails.
The scam is not limited to Pune or Mumbai. The gang has operated across several major cities, adapting its operations as it moves. Two such gangs are believed to be running similar scams across the country, with one still active in Delhi and its surrounding areas.
Police Action and Ongoing Investigation
Following the mid-day sting operation, the Godfather Club in Mumbai, a known base for the gang, has been shut down, and authorities are working to trace the suspects. However, despite several complaints lodged against the club, police are facing difficulties as victims are hesitant to come forward and provide statements.
Senior Inspector Jaywant Shinde of Amboli police station confirmed the investigation is ongoing. PSI Hari Biradar, who is leading the investigation, stated, “We have received multiple complaints against the Godfather Club and are requesting victims to come forward so that we can apprehend all individuals involved in this scam. The girls involved have fled Mumbai, and we are tracing their whereabouts.”
With the gang on the run and their operations relocated, authorities are urging anyone affected by this scam to come forward and assist in the investigation. As of now, the gang remains active, and efforts to bring them to justice continue.